HVOF Coating as an Alternative to Hard Chrome
For the majority of the last century hard chrome (HC) coatings have been the go to wear resistant and corrosion resistant coating for a wide variety of industries. Aircraft, automotive, mining, and printing industries have all relied on HC which creates significant quantities of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) as well other hazardous byproducts. Beginning in the 80’s a worldwide push began to find alternatives to HC in large part due health and environmental concerns as well as tightening restrictions on the known carcinogen Cr+6.
The leading replacement technology then, as it is now is High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) coating. Continuing through the 80’s and 00’s a large volume of in depth data was generated through government funded as well as corporate research programs. These include efforts by the Department of Defense (most notably the Hard Chrome Alternatives Team (HCAT)), Boeing, and Airbus Industries. This research lead to HVOF coatings being qualified and implemented on numerous aircraft and rotor craft. Additionally, HVOF has been adopted by heavy industries such as Caterpillar (CAT®).
HVOF offers many advantages over HC coatings:
Performance
- Higher hardness
- 200+% longer seal life
- 4X plus increase in wear resistance
- Superior corrosion resistance
- No fatigue debit and potential improvement in fatigue life in some systems
- No hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steel substrates
Economy / Environment
- Whole-life cycle costs of carbide coatings estimated to be 50% of hard chrome plating
- Up to 80% reduction in processing time
- Flexible and easily scalable
- Significantly reduced capital investment
- Much smaller footprint than a plating facility
- Equipment is Portable
- Generates no hazardous waste
Tailored Solutions
- Individual applications can be matched to materials and processing parameters depending upon the specific requirements for corrosion, wear, service temperature or other factors
To learn more about HVOF Coatings, click on the specific coatings for Chrome replacement below or for a full listing of our HVOF offerings click here.
- CT2104-1, Standard Density 88/12 Tungsten Carbide Cobalt
- CT2110-1, Standard Density 83/17 Tungsten Carbide Cobalt
- CT2115-2, High Density 88/12 Tungsten Carbide Nickel
- CT2121-2, High Density 88/12 Tungsten Carbide Cobalt
- CT2143-2, High Density 86/10/4 Tungsten Carbide Cobalt Chromium
- CT2250-2, High Density 73/20/7 Tungsten Carbide Chromium Carbide Nickel
CT-2121-2 – Tungsten Carbide Cobalt
CT-2143-2 – Tungsten Carbide Cobalt Chrome