A special coating is applied to many metal products to protect them against wear and corrosion. This may be paint or a type of chrome plating, depending on the customer’s budget and the specification and use case of the product.
Why metal products need protecting
Many products are made from metal. For instance, the mechanical components in cars and also door handles. Once you understand the vast array of metal products available, you start to understand why the method of protecting them varies so much.
While automotive and aerospace parts are designed to be used outdoors in all weather conditions, challenged by salt and fluctuating temperatures, the handles on your kitchen cupboards will only ever be lightly used in an indoor environment.
Types of hard chrome plating
Chrome plating such as that performed by www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-100-hard-chrome is a process in which metal objects are immersed in a chemical bath during which chrome is applied to deliver a layer of protection. Depending on the thickness of the applied layer, this is either known as decorative chrome plating or hard chrome plating.
Decorative plating is when a thin layer of chrome is applied, with the primary purpose being aesthetic, as this option delivers a shiny, mirror-like patina that is popular in kitchen metals and car bumpers.
Hard chrome plating, on the other hand, is designed to last and function in challenging environmental conditions as it is applied much more thickly. It is the plating of choice for the engineering industry where durability is the driving priority.
