A hard chrome plated rod consists of two key components:
1. Base Material (Core)
The core is typically high-strength steel (for mechanical performance and cost-effectiveness), with common grades including:
- Carbon steel (e.g., 45# steel): Cost-effective, good machinability (ideal for general industrial use).
- Alloy steel (e.g., 40Cr, 42CrMo): Higher strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance (for heavy-load/high-cycle applications like hydraulic/pneumatic piston rods).
2. Surface Coating
A thin layer of hard chromium (Cr) is applied via electroplating (thickness: 5–50 μm, depending on use case). The chrome layer:
- Boosts wear resistance (hardness: 800–1000 HV).
- Provides mild corrosion protection.
- Reduces friction (critical for sealing systems).
Key Note
The base steel is first precision-machined (e.g., grinding to Ra ≤ 0.05 μm) before chrome plating to ensure coating adhesion and surface smoothness—essential for industrial actuator rods (piston rods, guide rods) in machinery, automation, or heavy equipment.
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