Chrome plated bars and tubes

Hard chrome plated bars and tubes for hydraulics and industry

Hard chrome plated bars and tubes are essential components in hydraulic cylinders and many other industrial applications. Also known as chrome tubes or chrome plated tubes, they offer a number of benefits thanks to their specific properties. At JB Tubes we stock chrome plated bars and tubes for the maritime sector, general industry and offshore applications. Below we explain what makes them so versatile and why they are widely used across so many sectors.

What are hard chrome plated bars used for?

The main application of hard chrome plated bars is as piston rods for hydraulic cylinders. These cylinders are used, for example, in construction, agriculture and transport. Thanks to their properties, chrome plated bars are also very well suited to other applications, such as guide rods and components for linear motion.

What makes hard chrome plated bars and tubes so special?

Several properties make hard chrome plated bars and tubes attractive for a wide range of applications:

• High surface hardness of 63–68 HRC, which makes them highly wear-resistant and long-lasting, even under heavy loads.
• Low surface roughness (Ra max. 0.2 µm), which ensures smooth and quiet operation.
• Good running properties, so they perform efficiently and reliably in many different applications.
• Corrosion resistance of 100–120 hours in the neutral salt spray test (NSS) to ISO 9227.

Our range of chrome plated bars

• Hard chrome plated: Ck45, 20MnV6 and 42CrMo4V
• Hard chrome plated and induction hardened (IH): Ck45, 42CrMo4V and 38MnV6
• Hard chrome plated stainless steel: AISI 431 (1.4057) and AISI 329 (1.4460)
• Nickel chrome plated (30/20): 20MnV6 and E355

Diameters range from 4 mm to 350 mm, with an f8 tolerance up to Ø 17 mm and f7 from Ø 18 mm. The chrome layer is at least 10 µm thick up to Ø 17 mm and at least 20 µm from Ø 18 mm. Bars are supplied in lengths of approx. 6 metres or cut to length.

Alternatives for aggressive environments

In some situations a different material may be the better choice for your chrome bar or tube – for instance in aggressive environments such as the process industry, mining, coastal locations, road applications and the offshore industry. In these cases, bars made of stainless steel or nickel chrome plated steel can provide a good solution.

• Stainless steel is an alloy of steel with chromium and nickel. It is highly corrosion-resistant and therefore copes well with damp and acidic conditions. Our hard chrome plated stainless steel bars in AISI 431 (1.4057) and AISI 329 (1.4460) are durable and low-maintenance, making them ideal for use in extreme environments.
• Nickel chrome plated steel is another option where standard hard chrome plating does not offer enough protection. These bars, in 20MnV6 and E355, have a 30/20 nickel-chrome layer that provides extra corrosion resistance and wear resistance, making them suitable for heavy-duty and demanding industries.

Where extra impact resistance and load-bearing capacity are needed, for example in mining equipment, induction hardened chrome plated bars in Ck45, 42CrMo4V or 38MnV6 are also available.

Choosing the right chrome plated bar or tube

When selecting a chrome plated bar or tube, pay close attention to the parameters that matter most for your application: the strength of the material (minimum yield strength), its weldability, the corrosion resistance of the bar or tube and the surface hardness. Our chrome plated bars and tubes are supplied with a 3.1 certificate to EN 10204 (3.2 on request) stating the material grade, standard, heat and test numbers, mechanical properties and chemical composition. Need a different size or some advice? We are happy to help.

A reliable and durable solution

If you are looking for a reliable, durable solution for hydraulic cylinders or other industrial applications, hard chrome plated bars and tubes are an excellent choice. They combine high surface hardness, low surface roughness and good running properties. For extreme conditions, stainless steel or nickel chrome plated steel are good alternatives. Whichever you choose, our products are built for a long service life and optimum performance. Do you have a question or a special request? Please contact us – we are ready to help.

Frequently asked questions about chrome plated bars and tubes