Hard Chrome Plating Alternative
HVOF-sprayed tungsten carbide coatings are the industry's leading replacement for hard chrome plating — matching or exceeding its wear resistance while eliminating the use of hexavalent chromium and the process risks associated with electroplating.
Key Benefits
No Hexavalent Chromium
HVOF tungsten carbide coatings eliminate the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), a substance restricted under REACH and increasingly phased out across regulated industries.
No Hydrogen Embrittlement Risk
Hard chrome electroplating can introduce hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steel components. Thermal spray coatings are applied without this risk.
Higher Bond Strength
HVOF tungsten carbide coatings typically achieve bond strengths above 70 MPa, compared to the mechanical bond of electroplated hard chrome.
Comparable or Higher Hardness
WC-Co and WC-Co-Cr coatings applied via HVOF reach 1,100–1,400 HV, matching or exceeding typical hard chrome hardness values.
No Micro-Cracking
Hard chrome deposits are prone to a network of micro-cracks from internal tensile stress. HVOF coatings are dense and largely free of this defect.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Every coating job is carried out under our certified quality management system, backed by 40+ years of thermal spray experience.
Materials
| Property | Hard Chrome Plating | HVOF Tungsten Carbide |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | ~68–72 HRC (900–1,050 HV) | 1,100–1,400 HV |
| Coating porosity | Prone to micro-cracking | Below 1% |
| Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) | Yes — REACH restricted | None |
| Hydrogen embrittlement risk | Present during plating | None |
| Typical bond mechanism | Electrochemical/mechanical | Mechanical bond, 70+ MPa |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why replace hard chrome plating with HVOF tungsten carbide?
HVOF tungsten carbide coatings avoid the environmental and regulatory concerns of hexavalent chromium, eliminate hydrogen embrittlement risk during application, and typically deliver comparable or better wear resistance and bond strength than hard chrome.
Is HVOF coating as durable as hard chrome plating?
In most wear and corrosion applications, HVOF tungsten carbide coatings match or exceed hard chrome plating in hardness, density, and bond strength, with the added benefit of being free of the micro-cracking common to electroplated chrome.
Can HVOF coatings be applied to the same components as hard chrome plating?
Yes. HVOF tungsten carbide is widely used as a drop-in replacement for hard chrome on hydraulic cylinder rods, rolls, shafts, and other precision-ground components.
Is hexavalent chromium plating being phased out?
Hexavalent chromium is classified as a substance of very high concern under REACH regulations in the EU and is subject to increasing restrictions globally, driving many manufacturers to switch to thermal spray alternatives like HVOF tungsten carbide.
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