The choice of materials and quality

Material types: The base material for chrome plated steel rods is generally medium carbon steel (C45, SAE 1045), or some form of treated steel (40Cr, 42CrMo4). Excellent mechanical and processing properties are associated with these materials; high precision chrome-plated steel bars are specifically suited to be processed from them.

Chemical composition of medium carbon steel: Detailed compositions are well documented within industry standards.

Chrome-plated steel mechanical properties: Tensile strength falls within the range of 670-800 MPa, yield being approximately 517 MPa, elongation close to 10%. Other more specific properties can be requested if required.

Manufacturing process

Electrolysis: The surface of the chrome plated steel bars must be degreased, impured by alkali washing, pickled and subsequently washed (prior to electroplating). Guaranteeing coating bonding and all round quality is the end goal of these pre-treatments.

Chrome plated steel rod - the actual electroplating procedure itself is the next step. Plating over a broad area requires near perfect control of various parameters (current density, time, temperature etc.), thickness and quality of coating being the desired end product.

After electroplating: Ground and polished rod surfaces are achieved to at least some desired surface roughness. Chromium facilitates smooth sliding, sealing and dynamic performance all dependant on proper chrome plating.

Surface treatment

Chrome plated steel rods have a defined coating thickness (10-500microns being common, application specific). Physical, chemical or thermal processes can all be used to achieve this.

Surface roughness: Good sealing and/or durability will always be a primary concern.

Microcrack control: Microcracks are a part of the chrome plating process, but to a large extent the end user of the steel rod or bar, will want to see a near perfect surface finish.

Application Areas

Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems: Chromed steel bars are extensively used within hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders; accurate guiding and supporting being the primary reasons for their use.

Improving logistics in factories is a direct result of the high accuracy and near perfect stability linear motion systems can provide.

Agricultural Equipment: Chrome plated steel rods are utilized in manufacturing long lasting agricultural components - seed drills, various types of plows being prime examples.

Stylishly used in Manufacturing automobile and motorcycle parts; shock absorbers if I recall correctly being one of the more common essential parts made from them.

Laboratory Equipment: Simple frames and any form of support rod will always have chrome plated steel as a preferred material.

Performance Advantages

Chromated Steel: Extended salt spray testing shows a good level of resistance to all forms of corrosion activity, aggressive environments being the target of this resistance.

Wear Resistance - the near constant focus of all chrome plating; reducing friction and all subsequent types of wear, service life is prolonged.

High hardness: Surface hardness (HV800+ is the target) is what makes these bars so valuable, wear resistance going hand in hand with the previous point.

A smoother surface from the plating itself reduces movement friction, small or large scale moving components benefit.

➪ Dimensional accuracy is also maintained, high precision applications (of any kind) will always call for chrome plated steel rods.