# Hard Chrome Plating

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

- Process group: Plating
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/finishes/chrome-plating (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/finishes/chrome-plating)

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Applicable substrates | steel, stainless-steel, copper-alloys |

## 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).

## Conditional compatibility

- **alloy-steel-4340**: Hydrogen embrittlement risk — mandatory post-plate bake.

## Typical applications

- Hydraulic and pneumatic rod surfaces
- Mold and die wear faces
- Shaft journal repair and re-sizing