Applying precision coatings like chrome coating in machined components
Chrome plating has always been used in different industrial sectors, but you commonly see its application in nuclear and aerospace applications. Both these industries require high precision coatings in order to ensure minimal friction and hence, very low and slow wear and tear. In this regard, the products that have a chrome coating are proven to perform much better than almost all alternative metal treatments.
Precision Coatings
In the aerospace sector, the coatings are generally used for valves, auxiliary systems, bearings, safety devices like latches and pivot pins, landing gear, components of transmission systems like splines’ pinions, and gears as well as the rods, shafts, and pistons in propeller-driven or rotary aircraft. For precision coatings in aerospace applications, an absolute bond to the base metal is necessary, and the same should be able to perform in a vacuum environment as well. The coating should also be a cold process to ensure that heat does not create any structural changes, distort, anneal, or even cause the most minor dimensional changes to the base product that is being coated upon. Ideally, the coating should at least be compliant with AMS 2438 and AMS 2460. Further compliance with any customer-specific standards should also be achievable with these coatings. In aerospace applications, the coating can be done on items as long as 12 feet and most ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Generally, this coating is not done on titanium and aluminum, though other coating options are available for aluminum.
Chrome Coating
In machined components’ manufacturing, the role of chrome coating is critical. Its usage is in the manufacture of specialized components for automated machinery, though traditional items like shafts, bearings, seals, gears, cams, and rolls are also good candidates for chrome coating. Basically, the applications where considerable sliding or metal-to-metal contact will be needed are ideal for these coatings. The key advantages of coating in the machined parts industry are that the final product gains excellent wear resistance and durability, as well as low heat generation because of the low friction coefficient. The items gain corrosion resistance equivalent to 440 stainless steel sheets. Since the coating process is cold, it does not impact the shape or form of the product and the deposits have a typical range of 0.0001 to 0.0003 inches though they can be made as low as 0.00005 inches. This means that even products built to very tight tolerances can use this coating to improve their life and efficiency.
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