There are two distinct categories of application for chromium plating: (1) hard chrome or engineering chrome and (2) decorative chrome.

Most of the chrome plating done by CEEL Limited would fall into the hard chrome category. Hard chrome provides resistance to wear, abrasion and heat, as well as corrosion. Typical uses include pistons, cylinders, cutting tools, dies, oil tool parts, hydraulic shafts and valves. The low friction properties of chrome are ideal for use on the bore surfaces of artillery barrels. Hard chrome is often used to restore the original dimensions of worn or under-sized parts, such as heavy-duty shafts for presses, turbines, etch. Chrome is often over-deposited and machined back to blueprint dimensions with no loss in function or properties. Hard chrome deposits range from coverage to .030 inch. Hardness will range from Rockwell “C” 60-70.

A chrome bath has poor throwing power during the plating process. As a result, the design and anodes, with supplemental power supplies, are used in difficult cases where additional power is required to assure coverage. Such devices are critical in applications where thick deposits are required. The chrome plating process is inherently inefficient with about 15 percent of the plating current going to the production of chromium metal. The bulk of the current evolves hydrogen gas at the part surface. Accordingly, efficient exhaust facilities are mandatory.

Decorative chrome is generally not plated directly on the base metal, but will be applied over the top of nickel. When this is done, it can be plated to many types of metals such as aluminum, zinc die cast, brass, copper, steel, and stainless steel.

Decorative chrome is typically applied directly over bright nickel. The deposit is very thin usually ranging from coverage to 50 micro-inches. The coating is to alter the color of the nickel to a more pleasing color preventing the oxidation of the nickel.