NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL.
FOR YOU, WE CAN DO IT ALL.
Here, you’ll find quality, premium service. And you’ll discover that we’ll go the extra mile to make sure you see the difference.
Work with Hard Chrome Specialists, a recognized leader in hard chrome plating and electroless nickel plating solutions.
HARD CHROME PLATING & INDUSTRIAL CHROME PLATING SERVICES
OUR SERVICES
Services You’ll Find at Hard Chrome Specialists
Industries Served
Customers in the heavy equipment repair, mills, firearms, agricultural, construction, and quarry industries trust us to help keep their equipment in working order.
No matter what industry you work in, we’re here to help you reduce downtime, extend the life of your machinery’s components…and do it all efficiently.
Hard Chrome Plating for Industrial Applications
At HCS, we specialize in hard chrome electroplating. This process involves submerging the workpiece in an electrolytic chromic acid solution, then applying an electrical current to deposit the material onto the surface. The thickness of the chrome layer can range from 2 to 250 micrometers (µm). The hardness typically falls between 68 and 72 on the Rockwell scale.
The hard chrome plating process is compatible with various metals used in manufacturing, including copper, bronze, brass, steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. The benefits of the process include:
- Increased corrosion resistance
- Lower friction coefficient
- Enhanced abrasion protection
- Excellent release properties
- High heat mitigation
- Reliable bonding with the base metal
- Improved wear resistance
Electroless Nickel Plating
In addition to premium commercial chrome plating services, Hard Chrome Specialists can also perform electroless nickel plating (ENP) in PA, MD, and nationwide. This process involves immersing the metal substrate in a plating solution containing a nickel alloy with phosphorus.
Unlike electroplating, ENP does not use an electric current to deposit the coating. Instead, it involves an autocatalytic reaction that deposits nickel ions onto the surface.
ENP works equally well with conductive and non-conductive materials, providing more service options than electroplating. It is also a good choice for plating uneven surfaces with lots of nooks and crevices. It also has a more consistent thickness, often eliminating the need for additional finishing processes. The Hard Chrome Specialists team can develop a customized electroless nickel plating process to meet your project specifications.
Industrial Surfacing for Equipment, Components, and Cylinder Rods
We provide two primary surfacing services: hard chrome plating and electroless nickel plating. The hard chrome plating process is compatible with many metals used in manufacturing. ENP is also compatible with base materials including stainless steel, copper, nickel, brass, and iron. This allows us to service diverse components and machinery across industries.
Manufacturers of aerospace parts and components, medical devices and instruments, automotive products, heavy industrial machinery, and engine parts can benefit from chrome and nickel’s superior properties. We support applications including:
- Pistons and hydraulic cylinders in heavy equipment like excavators
- Surfaces such as molds, dies, screws and rolls
- Various textile and printing components
- Agriculture and mining machinery and equipment
- Tooling equipment and press punches
- Pump rotors and shafts
- Gun barrels and firearms
- Car manufacturing parts, including fuel injectors and cylinders
- Oil and gas sector equipment
Hydraulic Cylinder Repair, Cylinder Rod Repair & Remanufacturing
In addition to these plating solutions, you’ll find that we have extensive experience in hydraulic repair and service and can help get your hydraulic motors, pumps, and accumulators back up and running. We can also replate your hydraulic cylinders and help extend their life, adding more value to our hydraulic cylinder repair services.
If you need custom hydraulic parts or components, our computer-aided design (CAD) software can help us fabricate products that meet your needs. After completing the repair, we'll test and certify the parts to ensure they deliver reliable, long-term performance.
The Process
We train expert technicians to understand machinery in depth and develop solutions for each custom job. Every device is unique, so we evaluate each client’s needs to determine the best strategy for optimal results. Through our quality assurance and control policies, we maintain a service standard that ensures all our customers remain satisfied, and we continually refine our approaches.
Hard Chrome Plating
First, we submerge the workpiece in an electrolytic chromic acid solution. We then apply electrical current. Together with the chemical bath, this produces a robust surface reaction that attracts chromium and deposits it as a fine layer of the desired thickness.
The thickness of the chrome layer can range from 2 to 250 micrometers (µm). The hardness typically falls between 68 and 72 on the Rockwell scale.
The chrome forms a solid barrier that helps protect equipment. The coating will adhere to the substrate reliably and meet long-term performance and durability expectations.
Electroless Nickel Plating
ENP involves immersing the substrate in a nickel alloy solution. Because it’s autocatalytic, it can provide consistent coverage on complex geometries and interior features and is often selected when uniform thickness is a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered by Hard Chrome Plating Specialists
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