Advantages of the nickel and chrome plated steels

The corrosion of the chrome rods, especially in aggressive environmental conditions, has always been a big problem in the design and construction of hydraulic cylinders. The nickel and chrome plating technology provide superior qualities of corrosion resistance.

On the market you can find chrome bars with a salt spray resistance of 200 hours Rating 10 in NSS test ,also of 500 hours Rating 10 in NSS test which is still an excellent corrosion resistance, but in certain areas or under special conditions. We must also not forget that the chromium is micro-cracked and, consequently, corrosion can penetrate these micro cracks and arrive at base steel.

The nickel layer is completely free from cracks, pores and the base material is isolated to the atmospheric corrosion, while the same time the chrome layer insure a very good wear resistance.

In cases where climatic conditions are extreme, where there is chemical corrosion, where the cylinders are working near the sea, in the military applications, in power generation, in any case where it is not possible to risk anything, the only safe solution to prevent corrosion is to use nickel and chrome plated steel, even better than stainless steel chrome plated and with a lowest cost than it.

By comparison with chromed stainless steel and double chromed steel, the nickel and chrome plated steel NIMAX 1000 NC (or NIMAX 1000 NCT) is a product that provide these benefits. It is suitable for use in order to eliminate any risk of corrosion to rods of hydraulic cylinders. The base materials they are steel grades 20MnV6 (or 38MnVS6) with low carbon content and excellent weldability. If the base material is 38MnVS6 the nickel and chrome product combine the high strength with utmost corrosion resistance and excellent machinability.

Different applications of these materials: hydraulic cylinders used to working machines in very aggressive environments:

• marine atmosphere, corrosive chemicals, extreme climates
• power generation, military and aerospace sector
• agriculture, mining industry, oil and gas industry

A thickness of 30 μm nickel plus one of 25 μm minimum chromium with hardness of 950 HV0.1 form a perfect anti-corrosion surface that guarantees a resistance of more than 1000 hours in ISO 9227 NSS (ASTM B117) Rating 10 according to ISO 10289, comparable to more than 350 hours in ISO 9227 AASS (ASTM B287) Rating 10.