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Chrome plating
Chrome plating comes in two forms. Decorative chrome is a thin chromium layer, under 0.00004 in (1 µm), over copper and nickel that gives the mirror finish on faucets, trim and plated ABS. Hard chrome is a thick functional deposit, 0.0002–0.010 in (5–250 µm) and about 850–1,000 HV, often ground to size on shafts, rods and dies for wear resistance.
- Applies to
- Decorative: steel, brass, zinc die castings, plating-grade ABS and PC/ABS. Hard chrome: carbon, alloy and hardened steels
- Adds
- 7 days
- Cost
- Significant
Colors
- Bright chrome
- Satin chrome
- Black chrome
Specs
| Decorative chrome | About 0.00001–0.00004 in (0.25–1 µm) over 0.0004–0.0016 in (10–40 µm) nickel |
|---|---|
| Hard chrome | 0.0002–0.010 in (5–250 µm), ground to size when needed |
| Hardness (hard chrome) | About 850–1,000 HV |
| Friction | Low coefficient of friction; resists galling |
| Regulation | Hexavalent chromium processes are tightly regulated; trivalent decorative chrome available |
| Hydrogen embrittlement | Relief bake hardened steel after plating |
Call out on the drawing
- ASTM B456 (copper-nickel-chromium, decorative)
- ASTM B604 (decorative chrome on plastics)
- AMS 2460 (chromium plating, replaces QQ-C-320)
- AMS 2406 (hard chromium)
- ASTM B177 / B650 (engineering chromium)
Questions
Decorative chrome vs hard chrome?
Decorative chrome is a very thin layer over nickel; the nickel provides most of the corrosion protection and the chrome adds color and tarnish resistance. Hard chrome is tens to hundreds of times thicker, applied directly to steel for wear, and often ground to final size.
Can plastic parts be chrome plated?
Yes. Plating-grade ABS and PC/ABS are etched, activated and plated with copper, nickel and chrome per ASTM B604. Design matters: avoid sharp edges, deep blind recesses and thin walls that warp in the plating bath.
What are alternatives to hard chrome?
Heat-treated electroless nickel reaches similar hardness with uniform thickness. HVOF thermal spray such as tungsten carbide, nitriding and nitrocarburizing are common hexavalent-free alternatives for rods, shafts and dies.
Is chrome plating RoHS compliant?
The chromium in a finished plate is metallic, not hexavalent, so plated parts generally comply with RoHS. The process itself uses hexavalent chromium and is heavily regulated in the plating shop; trivalent decorative chrome avoids it but looks slightly darker.
Price it with this finish.
The builder adds lot charges, per-part cost and lead time for the finish you pick.