Process	Chromium & hard-chromium plating Chromium-plating is used for decoration and aesthetic reasons, in order to get a shining surface. Typical uses are for bicycles, motorcycles, toilet fittings, etc. Coating thickness is between 0,25 and 1,0 micron. Hard chromium plating is used for improving sliding properties, against wear and, in thick layers, corrosion. Its typical use is for hydraulic cylinders and industrial tools. Thickness varies from 10 to 1000 micron. Both are electrochemical processes, where the object to be coated is connected to the cathode.The coating's distribution is irregular mostly if the substrate has sharp angles. Decrease of the fatigue strength because of many microfessures.
Danish Name	Forkromming & Hårdforkromming
Category	Surface coatings, Electrodeposited coatings
Materials	Steel, Al, Zn, cast iron (substrates), Cr (coating)
Typical products	Motor valves Printing cylinder Mudguard Shopping basket Ensamble chair
References	Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Galvanotechnik, (Germany) Galvano Wernigerode GmbH, (Germany) Arthur Henniger GmbH, Werk I Hartchrom, (Germany) Blasberg Oberflächentechnik GmbH, (Germany)
Price notes	DKK/part 5 parts 100 5000 Small (1cm2) 85/45 11/6.3 0.03/0.22 Medium (1dm2) 112/85 17/30 0.15/2 Large (100dm2) 144/570 27/510 2/200
Price date	01-11-96
Price notes	The first price on the cell refers to chromium-plating, the second one to hard chromium-plating. Over 5000 parts the price doesn't vary so much. The price is calculated for typical average thichnesses: 0.5 micron (Cr); 100 micron (hard-Cr).
Additional info	For hard chromium-plating pricing, the bath time is the most important factor, while for chromium-plating is the labour.