Current Usage
Hard chrome plating is used by OEMs to provide wear protection to a wide variety of components for aircraft, vehicles, vessels, and gun barrels. It is used by OEMs and depots to rebuild worn components back to print. Almost all hydraulic actuators on vehicles, vessels, and aircraft are chrome plated, as are almost all aircraft landing gear and most components that are subject to wear. |
Typical Applications | Typical Chrome Plates | Specifications |
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ESOH IssuesCr6+ (CrVI, hexavalent chromium) is a known carcinogen that is strongly regulated. Chromium electroplating liberates chromic acid (Cr6+) mist that must be ducted away to meet the workplace OSHA Cr6+ PEL and scrubbed to meet the EPA Clean Air Act emission limits.
- EPA Clean Air Act rules
- OSHA Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+ PEL is currently 5μgm-3)
Exposure Personnel may be exposed at the OEM level and during depot overhaul.
- OEM and depot personnel may be exposed to Cr6+ mist during chrome plating operations, and to chromic acid solution during masking, demasking. Emission controls required.
Alternatives, Applications, StatusA number of hard coatings are used in place of hard chrome, both for OEM use and for overhaul. The primary alternative in use today for aircraft is HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) thermal spray of tungsten carbide coatings (WC-Co and WC-CoCr). Off-road mining vehicle hydraulics and other wear components use HVOF Cr3C2-NiCr. HVOF is a dry coating technology that can be used both for initial production and for rebuilding worn components. All new-design aircraft landing gear and many hydraulic actuators use HVOF in place of hard chrome, and the same coatings are frequently used by DoD depots and commercial shops for aircraft component MRO. This coating is also used for many other wear-resistant and rebuild applications, such as repair of flap and slat tracks.
For internal diameters and complex parts electroless nickel is often used. Other electroplates are being developed or evaluated, particularly for internal diameters, such as pulse-plated nanophase Co-P (nCo-P) and Ni-W, and Co composite with chrome carbide or SiC.
Examples of Alternatives | Examples of Authorizations and Implementations | Specifications |
HVOF WC-Co, WC-CoCr, Cr3C2-NiCr implementations |
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HVOF WC-Co, WC-CoCr approvals |
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Electroless Ni-P implementations |
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Ion nitride (plasma nitride) |
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Ferritic nitrocarburizing |
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PVD CrN |
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PVD WC-C (diamond-like carbon with tungsten) |
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