Chrome Plating process All You Need To Know

What is chrome plating?

Chrome plating stands as an electrochemical method designed to deposit chrome metal precisely where it is required or desired. While its visual appeal is undeniable, chrome plating transcends mere aesthetics. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing surface hardness and durability, acting as a barrier against corrosion and facilitating easier cleaning.

The intricate process commences with the thorough degreasing of the target surface to eliminate contaminants and residual buildup. Certain substrates, or surface metals, may necessitate pre-treatment to ensure optimal adhesion. Subsequently, the treated part undergoes immersion in a tank specifically designed for chrome plating.

What types material can be applied ?

Chrome can be effectively utilized on a wide range of metallic surfaces, including but not limited to aluminum, copper, nickel alloys, titanium, steel, and stainless steel.
Magic Performance is specialized in luminum,steel, zinc and stainless steel which are wildly used in motorcycle indurstry.

What type chrome plating do you have?

There are two types of chrome plating, which is hard chrome plating and decorative chrome plating

Hard chrome plating

Hard Chrome Plating, also termed industrial or engineering chrome, offers outstanding wear resistance and lubrication due to its robust electroplating layer. A 20um coating boasts a Vickers hardness (HV) of 750 and a 10-30um coating achieves a Vickers hardness of HV1000. The notable difference between hard chrome and decorative chrome lies in thickness, with hard chrome presenting a significantly thicker coating. This makes hard chrome the preferred choice for applications emphasizing wear resistance and improved lubrication in diverse industrial contexts compared to decorative chrome.

Decorative chrome plating

Designed primarily for aesthetic purposes, this coating combines corrosion resistance and wear resistance as additional functionalities. Widely applied to automotive and motorcycle components and hardware parts, this coating not only enhances visual appeal but also provides practical benefits in terms of corrosion resistance and durability.

What key elements of success chrome plating?

Design Review

If we using a mold to mold the part, it is important to ensure that there are no parting lines on the Class A surfaces, as it may lead to difficulties in polishing and affect the surface roughness during processing.

Design review as early as possilbe to greatly reduce chance of difficult or expensive process.

Rack and fixture design

The importance of the rack in electroplating will affect whether the plating thickness is sufficient, and in some cases, masking is required to prevent plating on specific parts.

Maintenance

Conduct thorough quality control for each processing solution and rinse tank, and adequately document the results.

Quality Control

Audit and check the solution , establish the master sample for cosmatic standard.

What are the key factors influencing the corrosion resistance of chrome plating?

Thickness

If the plating layers are thicker, their corrosion resistance is better, but the cost also increases.

Regarding thickness requirements, you can refer to ASTM B456. Currently, in our company, the achievable level for aluminum alloy is SC4. The diagram below illustrates the minimum plating thickness .

The Min. thickness of OEM thickness

What types of testing should be done ?

1. Corrosion test

Components should demonstrate the ability to meet the criteria outlined in ASTM B368, which is the Standard Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing, commonly known as the CASS Test. For the SC4, it should pass 22hrs test.
2. Adehsion
2.1 Saw Cut Test

Perform a reverse band saw cut using a 12-TPI or coarser blade. Ensure that the cutting process involves the blade pulling the plating away from the substrate. Subsequently, apply Scotch 898 pressure-sensitive tape along the cut and conduct a tape pull test. Allow for a lifting of the plating up to 0.10″ from the cut, provided that the adjacent plating remains adherent. Consider the part as suspect if there is lifting or peeling of the plating along the cut.
2.2 Quenching Test

Place the plated article in an oven maintained at the temperatures specified in below Table for a duration of 1 hour, ensuring a tolerance within ± 10ºC (50°F). Following the heating process, promptly quench the articles in water at room temperature. The presence of any lifting or peeling of the coating may indicate a failure to meet the adhesion requirement. Refer to ASTM B571 for guidance on reject and acceptance criteria.

Basis Metal Temperature, ºC (ºF)
Iron Alloy 250 (482)
Aluminum Alloy 177(350)
Copper Alloy 250 (482)
Zinc Alloy 150(302)