Chrome plating is a kind of finishing treatment that utilizes the electrolytic deposition of chromium. Thin decorative bright chrome is the most common form of chrome plating.
Chrome plating adds a mirror-like finish to many items such as furniture and automotive trim. “Hard chrome” is used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear and to restore the dimensions of equipment that has experienced wear.
Chrome works great for long wearing ‘working’ surfaces because it is much harder than case-hardened steel. Chrome will resist most all organic and in organic compounds and acids, except hydrochloric acid.
Many metals are coated with chromium to make them look more attractive. Chrome is shiny and sparkly and a good reflector and is bright; the metal is silver in appearance. It certainly does protect from corrosion and tarnish.
The coating process is done by electroplating; submersing the object in an electrolyte solution and putting an electric current through it. This is the only way it is done; there is no other reliable method and all other descriptions (such as “Chrome Dipping” and “Chroming”) refer to electroplating methods. The electrolyte contains chromium in a different form but the chromium is displaced onto the object during the electroplating process.
You’ll see chromium plating in lots of different places and in particular on appliances around the home, truck chrome, automobile and motorcycle parts. Other places you might find it commonly is on tools of all kinds and on electrical equipment. Any object that is chrome plated is enhanced by its presence and can be polished up to a pleasing shine.
