Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive
(Hard Chrome Plating)

by Larry Zitko, ChromeTech, Inc.
January, 2002

Information on Hard Chrome Corrosion Resistance

Q. We are an industrial valve manufacturer, supplying valves for a variety of applications. My department is responsible for metal-seated ball valves, where the internal components (i.e. balls and seats) are hard chrome plated for erosion and wear protection.

We are supplying valves to chemical and petrochemical plants where the corrosion and erosion resistance is of importance. Would you have a chart listing various chemicals, maybe at different temperatures and hard chrome resistance level? This would help us tremendously in selecting the proper materials.

Thank you in advance.

A. It's more difficult to find published data on the chemical resistance of chromium than for other metals, which might be used as materials of construction for pumps (like stainless steel, brass, etc.). From experience and reading down through the years, I am aware of several chemicals which attack the chromium electrodeposit:

- Hdrochloric (muratic) acid.
- Hydrofluoric acid.
- Solutions containing chloride salts.
- Sulfuric acid when heated.

I found one textbook that has a good chemical resistance chart for chromium, but it's so old that it may be out of print. The book is "Heavy Deposition", authored by J. D. Greenwood, Robert Draper LTD, Teddington (Great Britain), 1970.

In Table 11, Mr. Greenwood rates the chemical resistance of heavy chromium deposits as "rapidly attacked", "slowly attacked", "fair" and "good" when in contact with various organic and inorganic acids, gases and other materials.

I cannot reproduce the copyrighted material, but you may contact me directly if you would like me to search the table for any particular acids or materials of interest.

 

 

 


The information contained in this site is provided for your review and convenience. It is not intended to provide legal advice with respect to any federal, state, or local regulation.
You should consult with legal counsel and appropriate authorities before interpreting any regulations or undertaking any specific course of action.

Please note that many of the regulatory discussions on STERC refer to federal regulations. In many cases, states or local governments have promulgated relevant rules and standards
that are different and/or more stringent than the federal regulations. Therefore, to assure full compliance, you should investigate and comply with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.