Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023 - 24

PLATING AND ANODIZING: CHROME ALTERNATIVES
The application of nickel-tungsten follows the principle
of selective plating-a process developed by SIFCO ASC for
electroplating localised areas without the use of an immersion
tank. It delivers high hardness levels (660-690 HV, as plated)
together with excellent wear performance (ten times lower
sliding wear rate than hard chromium). In addition, lower
surface roughness means less refinishing is required than
with hard chrome deposits.
With the need to implement a solution which is tried
and tested while following a familiar application process,
nickel-tungsten can be adopted to achieve comparable-and
sometimes superior-results to hard chrome plating in many
applications.
A new way of thinking
With the need to implement a solution
which is tried and tested while following
a familiar application process, nickeltungsten
can be adopted to achieve
comparable-and sometimes superior-
results to hard chrome plating in many
applications.
designed to function for several decades without the need for
maintenance, so their service longevity must be guaranteed.
In the defence sector, where hard chrome plating is heavily
utilised to protect mission-critical equipment, the stakes are
even greater. Quite simply, none of these alternatives offers
the universal appeal of hard chrome plating. However, as the
industry shifts to a greener future there is another solution
that has been proven to deliver a host of benefits in multiple
applications: nickel tungsten, which can provide a viable
alternative to the industry's historic coating of choice.
The benefits of nickel-tungsten deposits
Nickel-tungsten has a variety of comparable characteristics
to those of hard chrome including corrosion resistance, wear,
and hardness, even at high temperatures. It is also non-toxic,
making it a truly viable alternative. What's more, it is already
specified in various industry standards, such as AMS2451C,
MIL-STD-2197 A (SH) and MIL-STD-865D. It
There are many alternatives to chromium plating, but none
are quite so universal in their application. As a result, the
industry is being forced to think a little differently. Rather
than striving to find a direct and complete replacement for
all applications, it is perhaps better to find solutions which
deliver results for specific applications. For example, a
part might require the wear properties of chrome plating,
but not its hardness or corrosion resistance. Equally, hard
is these
unique characteristics which have seen it used in a variety
of applications, since manufacturers began to seek a more
environmentally friendly method of protecting components
from the demanding conditions of the industry.
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Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023

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