The surface finishing industry is experiencing sustained economic growth, with both hard chrome and electroless nickel plating demand, expanding across key industrial sectors. For manufacturers and OEMs that depend on corrosion resistant coatings, the data shows a steady growth, especially for those with technical capabilities.
Hard Chrome Plating Growth and Sustainability
Within the hard chrome market, the abrasion-resistant services segment, was valued at USD $321 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $418 million by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% according to IntelMarket Research. This growth is attributed by automotive and aerospace industry demand for friction protection and component longevity in harsh environments. Hard chrome plating remains the coating of choice for heavy wear applications, where material loss results from friction, high temperatures, rubbing, scraping, or corrosion. At EN-CHRO Plating, hard chrome can be applied in thicknesses ranging from a standard .0005″ to .001″ up to .010″, offering coverage for virtually any operating environment.
Hydraulic cylinders represent one of the clearest growth areas in this segment. The global hydraulic cylinder market, a frequent user of hard chrome on cylinder rods and pistons, was valued at $18 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 5.92% according to Strategic Revenue Insights. Their research indicates long-term demand for the highly valued chrome plating services.
Electroless Nickel: Faster Growth with More Uses
The electroless nickel plating market is expanding at a faster pace. Valued at USD $2.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $4.1 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 5.2%, according to Data and Research. This growth is driven by rising demand for corrosion-resistant coatings, advancements in manufacturing technology, and increasing uses especially in the automotive, electronics and aerospace applications.
Aerospace, as we all see in the news, is one of the single fastest growing application segment or electroless nickel plating. The need is driven by the shift to lightweight materials that require uniform, wear-resistant coatings across complex geometries. This is a capability electroless nickel plating provides according to Verified Market Reports.
EN-CHRO Plating’s electroless nickel process offers high-phosphorus (10% or higher) and medium-phosphorus (5%–9%) baths, with gas-fired, walk-in oven, and heat treatment capabilities for improved adhesion and increased hardness post-deposition. Processes comply with FDA regulations, making EN-CHRO’s electroless nickel plating services a great choice for
food processing and medical device applications, two sectors that have reported using electroless nickel for its uniformity and chemical resistance.
What’s Next?
The hard chrome and nickel plating industry have proven to be beneficial for uniformity in its application and wear and allows companies to retain more uptime with its components. Contact EN-CHRO Plating today for a quote or a site visit, contact us directly at 708-450-1250.