Rectifiers for the Plating Industry
Published

Plating Chromium on Stainless Steel

How does one plate chromium on stainless steel?

Share

Q. How can I plate chromium on stainless steel? –M.P.

A. Plating on stainless steel is somewhat more difficult than on other base materials, but is not as difficult as some make it out to be. The trick with plating on stainless steel is to thoroughly clean the surface and remove all oxides that form on the surface.  Here are three tried-and-true methods.

Method One:

  1. Degrease parts
  2. Electroclean anodically
  3. Rinse thoroughly
  4. Using a PVC tank, immerse parts in the following solution at room temperature for 25 to 50 seconds:
    1. 1 mL hydrochloric acid (conc)
    2. 10 mL sulfuric acid (conc)
    3. Up to 1 L water
  5. Rinse thoroughly

 

Method Two:

  1. Degrease parts
  2. Using a PVC tank, treat parts cathodically in the following solution at room temperature for 1 to 5 minutes, using a lead anode and a current density of 5 amps per square foot.
    1. 50 to 500 mL sulfuric acid (250 mL recommended)
    2. Up to 1 L water
  3. Rinse thoroughly

 

Method Three:

  1. Plate parts cathodically in the following solution at room temperature for 2 minutes, using a nickel anode and a current density of 50 amps per square foot.  
    1. 240 g nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl2 · 6H2O)
    2. 125 mL hydrochloric acid (conc)
    3. Up to 1 L water
  2. Continue plating for 2 minutes, lowering the current density to 15 amps per square foot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly

 

Method three is more commonly known as a Wood’s nickel strike and is the most reliable procedure. The drawback of this procedure is that you are left with a small amount of nickel on the base metal surface that may not be acceptable in some situations.

You did not say in your e-mail whether you want to plate hard chrome or decorative chrome on the stainless steel. The first method is often suggested for plating hard chrome. Any of the three methods can be used for plating other metals on the surface.

Related Content

  • How to Maximize Nickel Plating Performance

    The advantages of boric acid-free nickel plating include allowing manufacturers who utilize nickel plating to keep up the ever-changing regulatory policies and support sustainability efforts.

  • Troubleshooting Alkaline Zinc

    One of the most common problems that can arise when plating with alkaline zinc is an imbalance of brightener in the solution. In this helpful Ask the Expert article, Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical discusses how different zinc metal concentrations and brightener concentrations can impact efficiency.

  • Liquid Chrome Vs. Chromic Acid Flake

    Contemplating how to continue offering chromic acid services in an increasingly stringent regulatory world? Liquid chrome products may be the solution you’re looking for.

Rectifiers for the Plating Industry
In-Place Repairs for Canning Presses
FISCHERSCOPE® XAN® LIQUID ANALYZER
Reduced Ion Electroless Nickel
Luster-On Products
Hitachi High-Tech FT200 series
KCH Engineered Systems
Gardner Intelligence
Rectifiers for the Plating Industry