Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Is baking required after hard chrome plating?

2006

Dear all,
I am a student of university and at present I'm studying about hard chrome plating for my thesis.. I read about hard chrome plating on the ASM standard and it explain that after chrome plating process, the part must be baked, ex: for steel is 190 °C for 3 hours. Then I compare to several plating shops, they said that they don't bake the plated part. My object (part, cast iron) is die for metal forming. Is it necessary to do baking process for my object? is there any significant differences if I don't bake my object?

Thank you,

Fabian Azof
student (last grade) - Bandung, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

---

Hi, Fabian. The chrome plating itself does not require baking, but the substrate may. What happens is that chrome plating releases a great deal of atomic hydrogen, so if the substrate metal is subject to hydrogen embrittlement (that is, if it's hardened steel), then it requires immediate baking for embrittlement relief.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

---

2006

SO, my object which is nodular cast iron (44 HRC, flame hardened) doesn't need baking process after hard chrome plating?

I have new problems related to weldment area.. The hard chrome layer often easily peeled-off on that area... is that related with the welding rod?or welding procedure?

Thanks,

Fabian Azof
university student - Bandung, Jawa Barat, Indonesia