Chrome Plating Alternative and Substitutes

A. We have been using Nickel Zartan for years. It is a cost effective alternative to Chrome, it looks good and holds up well. It works well on small parts as it is a barrel process. Parts are first coated with nickel, then the Zartan. The nickel is the rust preventative, like chrome the Zartan is for looks.

A. Hi, Donovan. Thanks for the real-life experiences with Zartan. Very helpful! However, it is not fully accurate that chrome plating is for looks. It symbiotically contributes to the corrosion resistance of the finish -- for example, nickel-chrome plating with microcracked or microporous chrome have repeatedly been found to be substantially superior in corrosion resistance to non-micro chrome. (Readers may be interested in our Introduction to Chrome Plating).

This is not to imply that Zartan doesn't contribute as much to corrosion resistance -- I don't know. Thanks again.

Regards,

A. Hi, The only metal that resembles the color of chromium plating is aluminum but it normally has to be vacuum metallized and is very thin, so it may not withstand 300 hrs. salt spray. For durability and a shiny look, the closest inexpensive metal would be high phosphorous electroless nickel but it will have a yellowish/brownish deep color. Good luck

A. Zartan was a cobalt-tin topcoat, but I believe it is not made anymore. The major suppliers do have chromium substitutes based on cobalt alloys, and there is also tri-chrome, of course.

A. The alternate is tin cobalt alloy deposit (sulphobrite process) which will give you a topcoat same in colour as chrome.

A. Hi, Aravindhan. Chromium is one of the 92 naturally occurring elements, and what distinguishes one from the other is their basic properties. So the answer to all such inquiries is: no, there is no alternative to Cr plating with all of the same basic properties; but, yes, it may be possible to substitute another material depending on which of those properties you need. There are alternative decorative topcoats for nickel plating which have found some use including trivalent chrome plating, and other proprietaries based on cobalt and other metals. To my knowledge none is yet a 100% satisfactory replacement, such that automobile and motorcycle manufacturers still use hexavalent chrome plating.

The crux of the matter is two things: first, what the part is, and what it needs in terms of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, aesthetic requirements, etc; and second, why you want to replace the chrome -- i.e., what perceived downside are you trying to ameliorate, so we can help you evaluate whether the substitution will do that or make things worse.

A. You can substitute a trivalent chromium plating process (although you say this is difficult to obtain in your area); some say the overall cost will be reduced, others say it won't. You can substitute a proprietary chrome replacement plating based on cobalt or tin-cobalt; the major vendors of plating processes offer trivalent chrome processes and chrome substitutes. These substitutes, whether trivalent chrome or otherwise, are not generic formulations, but higher technology processes that you buy from suppliers.

There is no substitute for nickel plating, although the suppliers do offer alloys like nickel-iron that can reduce the cost; and 'white bronze' has been used in place og nickel on jewelry but not yet (to my limited knowledge) on motorcycle parts.

A completely different approach, which doesn't really match the quality of nickel-chrome plating, but may be good enough for the bicycles/motorcycles in question, is bright acid zinc plating followed by clear coating. Try to align yourself with a reputable supplier and you should be able to get help with all of these alternatives. Good luck.

A. Nothing will work as well as chrome. Electroless nickel will come close, but it fingerprints extremely easily and does not have quite the same blue tint as chrome, although it can be quite bright. EN will probably cost more.

A. Please consider an outstanding and a very new process called trialloy. It is a ternary alloy of nickel-cobalt-boron. Some suppliers have just offered the alloy as decorative for its similar features comparing to Cr III (aspect, hardness, corrosion resistance).

A. Have you considered a PVD alternative. Depending on the application it is viable. The technology is environmentally friendly and is showing excellent durability. Currently parts such as wheels, manifolds tubes such as your handle bars are being coated.

? Hi Rogerio. Sorry, but I do not understand your question, perhaps due to language difficulties ...

You seem to be saying that you must do baking for hydrogen relief, and it concerns you that this baking might oxidize the Cr2CoO4? Where is the hydrogen coming from? I am not familiar with a Cr2CoO4 plating solution, but am I understanding that you are plating something with such a solution? More words please!

Regards,