What Is Chrome Plating?

Two open end wrenches on a metalic background

Everyone knows the shiny look of chrome. It is found on automobiles, decorative items and more. Rarely are products made from solid chrome. Instead, a process called chrome plating allows one to place a thin layer of chromium on a product to increase the aesthetic appeal of less expensive metals.

What is chrome plating?

Chrome plating requires applying a thin layer of chromium, an expensive metal, to another metal or other materials. The process of chrome plating is actually quite simple. First, the material that is receiving the chrome needs extensive cleaning and degreasing so that it can accept the chromium. The material is dipped into a plating vat that contains a solution with a high chromium concentration. An electrical charge is then applied to the vat. The thickness of the chrome layer is determined by how long the material stays in the vat with the current applied. When removed, the material has a bright, lustrous layer of chrome on the surface.

Why use chrome?

Chrome is generally used for two reasons. The first is for decorative purposes. Decorative chrome is usually applied in thinner layers. In addition, the chrome is usually applied over bright nickel plating to achieve a shinier, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The second reason for using chrome is that it can act as a layer of protection. This is referred to as hard chrome and is generally used in automotive and industrial applications. Hard chrome is applied in significantly thicker layers, and metals have a textured surface after the process. In these types of applications, hard chrome can reduce friction between mechanical parts, increase corrosion resistance and allow the material to endure increased amounts of wear.

When searching for decorative items or mechanical parts, chrome-plated metals are often a good choice because they tout better looks and increased durability when compared to the bare metal underneath.

Chrome plating is a cost effective way to add looks to decorative items or increase the durability of mechanical parts. The future of chrome plating is uncertain, though, as chromium is a known cancer-causing agent and is banned in many areas of the world. No matter, the look of chrome is always recognized worldwide.

Chrome plating requires applying a thin layer of chromium