Chrome plating is a finishing treatment utilizing the electrolytic deposition of chromium. The most common form of chrome plating is the thin, decorative bright chrome, which is typically a 10 µm layer over an underlying nickel plate. It imparts a mirror-like finish to items such as metal furniture frames and automotive trim. Thicker deposits, up to 1000 µm, are called hard chrome and are used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear and to restore the dimensions of equipment that has experienced wear. Electroplating is the coating of an electrically conductive item with a layer of metal using electrical current. ... General Name, Symbol, Number chromium, Cr, 24 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 6, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Atomic mass 51. ... A micrometre (American spelling: micrometer), symbol µm, is an SI unit of length. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nickel, Ni, 28 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 4, d Appearance lustrous, metallic Atomic mass 58. ... A mirror is a surface with good specular reflection that is smooth enough to form an image. ... In physics, friction is the non-conservative resistive force that occurs when two surfaces travel along each other when forced together. ...

Chromium Plating Solutions

There are two types of chromium plating: industrial and decorative. Industrial chromium plating is also referred to as Hard Chrome or Engineered Chrome. There are two types of Industrial chromium plating solutions: 1. Hexavalent chromium baths whose main ingredient is chromic anhydride. 2. Trivalent chromium baths whose main ingredient is chromium sulfate or chromium chloride. Trivalent chromium baths are not yet common, due to restrictions concerning color, brittleness, and plating thickness.

Typical Bath Composition and Operation of the Hexavalent Bath

Chromic acid (CrO₃): 250–300 g/l. In chemistry, chromic acid (or Jones reagent) is a chromium (Cr) compound, yet to be isolated, that would have the formula H2CrO4. ...

Sulfuric acid: 2.5–3.0 g/l. Sulfuric acid (British English: sulphuric acid), H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. ...

Operating Temperature: 45–60 °C.

Plating current: 1.55–3.10 kiloamperes per square meter DC. Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ...

Maximum superimposed AC ripple allowed is 18%, preferred ripple is 5% to 10%. city lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ...

Anodes: lead with up to 7% tin or antimony. General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish white Atomic mass 207. ... General Name, Symbol, Number tin, Sn, 50 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 5, p Appearance silvery lustrous gray Atomic mass 118. ... General Name, Symbol, Number antimony, Sb, 51 Chemical series metalloids Group, Period, Block 15, 5, p Appearance silvery lustrous grey Atomic mass 121. ...

Chromium may be stripped anodically in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. Flash point non flammable Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

The materials described herein are extremely hazardous. They are toxic, corrosive and damaging to the environment. Their use, storage, and disposal are governed by law in most jurisdictions. Personal safety equipment and proper containment facilities are considered mandatory.

Quality Requirements

Chrome plate shall be uniform in thickness on all surfaces, which can be touched by a sphere of 20 mm diameter. Plate shall be smooth, homogeneous and free from frosty areas, pin holes, pits, nodules, and other defects.

See also

• Stainless steel