Surface Finish · Plating

Hard Chrome Plating

The hardest plated surface in the shop: ~65 HRC chrome for sliding and abrasive service.

Process specifications

Parameter	Value
Process group	Plating
Coating thickness	20–250 µm
Tolerance impact	Significant, uneven build-up — standard practice is to plate oversize and grind back to final dimension after plating. Plan a grind-after-plate step for any toleranced diameter; we include it in routing when chrome is quoted.
Corrosion rating	Good with adequate thickness — the micro-cracked deposit needs >50 µm (or a nickel underlayer) for reliable barrier protection.
Appearance	Bright mirror chrome; ground surfaces show a fine uniform luster.

⚠ Not suitable for

Deep internal bores with high depth-to-diameter ratio (poor current distribution leaves thin or bare zones — use electroless nickel); hydrogen-embrittlement-sensitive high-strength steels without a post-plate bake; designs that could use ENP instead (chrome carries a hexavalent-chemistry environmental burden and longer lead time).