Chrome plating equipment varies based on intended purpose and plating process. The basic setup involves an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Brush chroming is popular for its portability. Hexavalent and trivalent processes differ in chemical composition, with trivalent being safer. A common set of equipment includes a degreaser, electrolyte bath, graphite electrodes, and brush plating setup. Trivalent plating is preferred due to the toxicity of hexavalent chromium. Rectifier power varies based on component size.
There are different types of chrome plating equipment. Each classification of chroming equipment can differ depending on the manufacturer’s intended purpose, whether it is to resurface an automobile or to make jewelry. Types will also differ between hexavalent and trivalent chromium plating processes, which are methods used to strengthen metals. Examples of common chrome plating equipment might include anything from a degreasing kit to cleaning supplies, a chrome vat, or a straightener.
Chromium plating is a galvanic process in which chromium ions are moved by means of an electric current to coat a metal electrode. This process is normally intended to impart various chemical and physical properties of chromium, such as resistance to rust, to the electroplated object. The basic setup of chromium plating equipment has the object to be plated acting as the cathode in an electrical circuit, a chromium electrode as the anode, and an electrolyte consisting of a dissolved chromium salt. When an electric current is applied from an external source, the chromium ions are reduced at the cathode and accumulate in a process known as electrodeposition. In this way, as the anode decreases in size the concentration of chromium ions while the electrolyte remains constant and the object at the cathode is gradually plated with chromium.
Brush chroming is the most popular chroming technique due to its portability and superior dexterity. A rectifier is used to convert alternating current to direct current, which passes through the rod while connected to the anode. The rod is then immersed in a solution containing chromium ions, and passed over the object to be galvanised, which has been degreased to remove impurities. Differences in electrode absorption cause chromium ions to build up on the anode, plating it with chromium.
Hexavalent and trivalent chromium plating differ in the chemical composition of the equipment used. In both processes, an activation bath is used to remove any scale on the part and usually contains chromic acid for hexavalent chromium plating or sulfates in trivalent chromium plating. The latter is considered safer as it prevents toxic trivalent chromium from accumulating near the anodes. Additionally, both processes use anodes to complete the standard electroplating process. Hexavalent chromium plating uses metal electrodes while trivalent chromium plating is based on inert graphite electrodes.
The most common set of chrome plating equipment would include a degreaser, sulfate-based electrolyte bath, graphite electrodes, and a brush plating setup. There is often a bias towards trivalent chromium plating as hexavalent chromium plating releases an excess of toxic chromium, which is a human carcinogen and an air pollutant. Depending on the size of the component to be chromed, the power of the rectifier in a brush chrome plating process will also differ. Larger components like cars require more powerful rectifiers than smaller ones like necklaces and rings.
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