Chrome Plating, The Process Of Making Metal Shiny!

Chrome plating is a process of electroplating a thin layer of chrome on metal. Chrome plating serves two main purposes, for decoration or as a protective layer.
Normally, chrome is chemically stable and does not react with most organic acids, sulfides, or bases, so chrome plating prevents corrosion, improves wear resistance, and is used as a protective layer.
In addition, the chromium layer has a high degree of finish and is often used as a decorative part, such as automobile instruments, interiors, ornaments and other parts with appearance requirements.

 

The process of chrome plating consists of five basic stages:

 

The first stage, degreasing. Chemicals are used to remove grease from the surface of the metal to ensure that the surface does not affect the composition of the plating.

 

The second stage is cleaning. A thorough cleaning of the surface will help remove dirt and residue, such as tiny dust particles.

 

In the third stage, the underlying (plated) metal is treated to ensure that the metal surface is as smooth as possible, thus ensuring that the coating maintains a high level of integrity over a longer period of time. Common methods are copper plating, nickel plating and then hanging chromium.

 

In the fourth stage, the metal is placed in a container of pretreatment solution, and it is gradually heated to the right temperature to begin chrome plating.

 

In the fifth and final stage, the electroplating process begins, the solution in the container is a mixture of compounds containing chromium and allows the compounds to be etched onto the metal surface (by electrochemical reaction). The thickness of the coating depends on how long the metal stays in the container.

 

Common chromium plating categories are: bright chrome plating, matte chrome plating, hard chrome plating, etc. The chrome coating can withstand years of exposure to air. Metal bumpers on cars are a good example of electroplating, which can last for decades and requires only general maintenance. Similarly, faucets and other chrome-plated products can guarantee a long term clean appearance while guaranteeing long term durability. Therefore, chromium plating is also one of the most commonly used metal surface treatment processes.