What is the difference between technical hard chrome plating and “hardening”?
Technical hard chrome plating is done at lower temperatures. Therefore, distortion (i.e. sheathing of the part) does not take place as it can with hardening. Hardening is normally a process whereby the structure of the component is actually changed. There is usually no corrosion protection in the hardening process. Only components made from materials that can be hardened (e.g. nitrided steel) can also be hardened. The progression of the hardening process is not homogenous. Hard chromium plating, however, can be deposited on many base materials in a wide variety of desired layer thickness. Hard chromium plating is consistent throughout the entire layer. Corrosion and wear properties are excellent. In addition, when using the heavy chrome plating process, it is possible to provide the component with many other properties, such as anti-adhesive and topographical properties.
