R & S Plating is a one-stop shop for all your metal plating needs. We offer a wide range of metal finishing options including Kentucky hard chrome plating, black zinc plating, nital etching, copper plating, passivation, cadmium plating, and more.
Not only do we offer our clients exceptional metal plating services done to spec, and we also provide the most customer-focused service around. Our business has continued to grow and thrive year after year thanks to our commitment to personalized customer service. We do everything in our power to make sure each and every client is highly satisfied with our work.
If you’ve been looking for a partner in the metal finishing industry who’s reliable, friendly, and detail-oriented, then give us a call at 317-925-2396 or send an e-mail to Andy@RSPlating.com. We’d love to discuss your next metal plating project with you.
About Kentucky Hard Chrome Plating
While we do offer a wide range of metal finishing services, one of our most popular options continues to be Kentucky hard chrome plating.
Hard chrome, also referred to as “engineered chrome” or “industrial chrome,” is known for being a beautiful finish that offers strength and superior resistance to corrosion. It can be used on numerous substrates including cast irons, brasses, bronzes, stainless steel, copper alloys, nickel-based alloys, and lightweight aluminum alloys.
But that’s just scratching the surface on all there is to know about Kentucky hard chrome plating; here’s a bit of information to help you learn more about this attractive metal plating option:
Attributes of Hard Chrome Plating
Hardness – Hard chrome plating generally measures between RC 65 and 70 on the Rockwell scale. The Rockwell test, which is the industry standard, calculates the hardness of an item by measuring how deep of an indentation is created when the material is put under pressure. This measurement is usually conducted on a cross-section of the plating using an approved Rockwell hardness tester.
Thickness – There is no set standard for the thickness of hard chrome plating but the typical range is between .0002 to .0006 inches (which roughly equals .00508 – .01524 millimeters). A thicker plating can be applied, even up to .001 inches (.0254 millimeters) or more. Just keep in mind that hard chrome plating can be brittle when applied in thicker layers and the extra material may not contribute any additional benefits.
Surface Roughness – If there are any imperfections like dips or scratches in the surface of the underlying material, hard chrome plating will not level those off. In fact, the flaws will be amplified when the layer of chromium is added. That means that the surface of the object being plated must be polished prior to finishing to ensure the best results. Alternatively, you could grind the defects down after plating has been completed.
Common Hard Chrome Plating Applications
Kentucky hard chrome plating can be used in many different ways, including on:
Brake discs- Tools, dies, & molds
- Landing gears and other aircraft components
- Motor shafts
- Piston rings and valves
- Rollers for printing machinery
- Medical devices
- Components for firearms
- Gears
- Parts for machinery
- …and more
Brake discsBenefits of Hard Chrome Plating
There are numerous advantages that accompany hard chrome plating. One of them, as indicated above, is the fact that it can be used on many different items to benefit a wide range of industries. Other benefits include:
Durability and Abrasion Resistance
Items that have been plated with hard chrome are better able to withstand high-stress conditions for an extended period of time without wearing down. In fact, hard chrome plating is known to offer wear rates that are 100 times higher than other metal plating options such as electroless nickel, hardened steel, etc.
High Bond Strength
Compared to many other materials, hard chrome plating offers a high bond strength – around 35,000+ psi. However, the strength of the bond between the metal plating and the underlying material often depends upon what type of substrate is used. Some non-ferrous metals and highly alloyed steels may produce a slightly reduced bond strength (while still remaining higher than most other metal plating options.)
Protection Against Corrosion
Hard chrome plating offers an even finish regardless of the size and shape of the object being coated. The uniform application of chromium, along with its chemical stability, provides exceptional protection against corrosion.
Call R & S Plating for High-Quality Kentucky Hard Chrome Plating
If you’re looking for a tough industrial finish that offers versatility, durability, and protection against corrosion, hard chrome plating might be the solution for you. To find out if hard chrome is the right metal finish to meet your needs, just give us a call at 317-925-2396. You can also reach us through the contact form on this site.