Steel
Steel is one of the most widely used metals in the world, but its inherent weaknesses can cause issues for all kinds of businesses and industries.
High maintenance costs and vulnerability to rust can be difficult to work around, but you can minimize these disadvantages with appropriate metal plating solutions. Hard Chrome Specialists offers responsive, friendly service and quick turnaround times, as we can apply chrome and electroless nickel plating to your carbon and stainless steel items.
Our results will be of high quality and to your specifications.
Can Steel Be Chrome Plated?
Plating processes for steel generally follow the same guidelines for other metals. If you're looking for hard chrome plating on steel, we will first plunge your item into a solvent that cleanses the surface of dirt, grease and other imperfections that might affect the chromium's deposition. We can use muriatic acid to deoxidize steel, too.
We'll then transfer the item to the chrome bath and allow it to sit for a few moments before connecting electricity. By carefully monitoring the gradual increase of voltage, we can create robust coatings that precisely match your requirements.
Stainless steel differs slightly, as we have to activate it in a sulfuric acid between cleaning and plating.
Benefits of Chrome Plating for Steel
Hard chrome plating on carbon steel, stainless steel and other variations will vary in their respective benefits, as their compositions slightly affect the results.
Most forms of steel feature lower resistance to corrosion and impact, which can severely affect how your structures and machines perform on a long-term basis. However, hard chrome plating can help with these problems. The chromium will drastically increase a steel component's performance in environments with lower moisture and reduced air circulation.
Stainless steel, which already contains a percentage of chromium, is resistant to those problems to a degree, but it can still succumb to them. After all, chromium's effects can take hold only once it forms a forms a chromium oxide film, which can be quite difficult in low-oxygen, low-circulation places. An added layer of protection never hurts when you're looking to keep your operating and maintenance costs low.
What Are Common Applications for Chrome Plating on Steel?
If you want to add better corrosion protection and a distinctive shine, you'll often see chrome plating used on vehicle bumpers and other accessories, like hood ornaments and grills.
You can also plate motorcycle parts, lug nuts, brake pedals, construction bars, rods, screws and home hardware — such as faucets, cabinet pulls, door handles and more. Chrome plating of steel parts is very common industrially for parts that require enhanced corrosion and wear resistance.
Can Steel Be Nickel Plated?
Likewise to hard chrome plating on steel, nickel plating on carbon and mild steel does not differ much from other metals. Rather than use electricity, we submerge the steel in an aqueous solution that utilizes chemical agents to reduce the nickel ions and facilitate deposition. The process is highly stable and produces an even nickel coating.
That said, stainless steel can be significantly more complicated due to the level of other constituents present. You can still apply a nickel layer to stainless steel with the right procedure, which includes a pre-plate sequence that calls for thorough cleaning and a nickel strike. We complete the process with a highly acidic, all-chloride solution, which requires extensive time to take hold.
Benefits of Electroless Nickel Plating for Steel
Nickel plating produces even higher degrees of hardness when compared to chrome, and it touts better corrosion resistance, too.
Uniform depositions, which cover the entire surface area of the component, produce a less-porous surface, which reduces friction and eliminates openings for environmental factors.
For stainless steel, an already corrosion-resistant metal, nickel coating can help to make it easier to solder, more durable and even more resistant to radiation.
What Are Common Applications for Electroless Nickel Plating on Steel?
Nickel plating benefits carbon and mild steel components that rest in the inner workings of vehicles, like brake calliper pins, pinion shafts, gears and bleeder screws.
If you work in the oil and gas industries, where harsh conditions and rigorous operating procedures are common, nickel plating can benefit ball valves, gate valves and butterfly valves, as well as mixer shafts and heat exchangers. When it comes to stainless steel, you'll see nickel plating used in battery applications, as well as hydraulic leveling systems and firearms manufacturing.
To learn more about plating on steel, fill out our contact form or call us at 717-764-5171 to request an estimate.