Plasma Vs.

Chrome
Advantages of Plasma Nitriding vs. Chrome Plating
Plasma nitriding imparts a hard wear resistant diffused layer to the surface without the problems
encountered with most wet bath platings. Because plasma nitriding is a diffusion process it
eliminates the problems of flaking, spalling, edge build-up, chipping and the cost associated with
stripping and replating the products.

Cutting edges remain sharp during plasma nitriding and the uniform glow dis- charge enveloping
all surfaces achieves a consistent hardness and case depth.

The build-up associated with chrome plating that causes the rounding of edges and webbing at
the base of cavities is eliminated with plasma nitriding. In some cases, grinding is necessary to
remove the excessive build-up leading to additional production costs.

The diffused case in ion nitriding provides good resistance to indentation which chrome plating
does not offer. This allows plasma nitriding to be se- lected for a wider range of materials and
applications.

Plasma nitriding will improve the fatigue strength of your material. Chrome plating does not
offer this benefit.

Performance of plasma nitrided hydraulic shafts in Europe has satisfied the requirements for
corrosion and wear resistance vs. chrome.

Plasma nitriding is environmentally friendly. Plasma nitriding does not use any toxic substances.
The chrome plating process uses hexavalent chrome which is a known carcinogen.