In industrial maintenance, the ability to repair rather than replace worn components is one of the most effective ways a business can control costs and minimize downtime. Hard chrome repair makes this possible. That’s because hard chrome repair restores parts to their original dimensions and performance specifications. However, it needs to be done by experienced technicians otherwise the investment is lost.
There’s Science Behind It
The science behind the process is well documented. According to a 2018 study published in the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, hard chrome plating electrolytes applied at temperatures up to 85°C cause no structural changes in hardened or repaired parts. The plating process has been shown to increase the wear resistance of working surfaces fivefold. That is an investment worth doing. Now, the publication also stated that the same research confirmed strong adhesion of hard chrome coatings to substrates. This allows the hard chrome plating to withstand mechanical grinding, polishing, and tapping with no delamination or rupture.
Who Needs Hard Chrome Repairs?
Hard chrome repair is needed across a wide range of industries and component types. EN-CHRO regularly repairs railroad car components, gearboxes, and hydraulic cylinder rods. Chrome rollers used in the printing industry also benefit as well. ID and OD surface repair is also common for EN-CHRO, allowing worn or undersized components to be built back up to the right tolerances and put back into service.
Injection mold repair is another important area that needs hard chrome repair. When a mold is damaged or worn down, production comes to a stop, costing companies time and money. Hard chrome repair allows a mold to be stripped of its damaged coating, restored and repaired, and re-plated, without compromising the base metal.
More Science…
Research published in the journal Tribology International (ScienceDirect, 2019) also supports the chrome plating in industrial applications. The study found that hard chrome plated components proved that it reduces scratches, delayed galling, and low rates of material transfer compared to uncoated parts. They proved that hard chrome plating has a positive impact on both abrasive and adhesive wear resistance.
EN-CHRO Can Help with Your Repair
For large and complex components, EN-CHRO Plating provides expert hard chrome and electroless nickel repair services. Using a chemical-based process, EN-CHRO effectively removes the current chrome plating even on challenging materials, ensuring that parts and components are properly prepared before fresh hard chrome is applied. Depositing hard chrome properly, preserves the integrity of the base material.
EN-CHRO Plating also offers specialized chrome heat treating for components up to 8 feet in length, making it a great solution for industrial shock absorber components used in the automotive industry, where dimensional precision and surface durability are critical.
Next Steps…
Whether your business is dealing with worn hydraulic rods, damaged injection molds, faulty gearboxes, or deteriorated chrome rollers, hard chrome repair is a proven, cost-effective alternative to replacement. EN-CHRO Plating has the expertise and process expertise to restore your most demanding components. Contact us today!