Chrome plating facts for kids
Chrome plating, often just called chrome, is a special way to put a very thin layer of a metal called chromium onto another metal or plastic object. This shiny layer can make things look great, stop them from rusting, make them easier to clean, or even make them harder and stronger.
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How Chrome Plating Works
Making something shiny with chrome involves a few steps:
- First, the object is thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt and grease.
- Then, it gets a special hand-cleaning to make sure the surface is perfectly spotless.
- Next, the surface is prepared, which can be different depending on what the object is made of.
- The object is placed into a large tank filled with a warm liquid that contains chromium.
- Finally, an electric current is passed through the tank. This makes the chromium stick to the object, building up a thin, shiny layer.
Before the chrome is added, objects are often polished and shined. This is because the final look of the chrome will only be as good as how well the object was prepared.
Types of Chrome Plating
There are two main types of chrome plating, each used for different reasons:
Decorative Chrome
Decorative chrome is all about making things look good and last a long time. It's very shiny and resists corrosion (rusting) well. You can find decorative chrome on many things, like parts of cars, tools, and kitchen items. It's often put on materials such as steel, aluminium, plastic, and copper.
Hard Chrome
Hard chrome, also known as industrial chrome, is used to make surfaces tougher and smoother. It helps reduce friction, which means parts can slide past each other more easily without wearing out quickly. This type of chrome is used in machines and tools where durability is very important.
Chrome on Cars
Many shiny parts on cars are called "chrome." These parts are usually made of steel that has been specially plated. To make them strong enough for all kinds of weather and temperatures, they often go through a process called "triple plating." This means the steel is first covered with copper, then with nickel, and finally with the chromium layer. This makes the chrome very durable and long-lasting.
Images for kids
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Art Deco portfolio with chrome-plated cover, around 1925
See also
- Electrochemistry
- Decoration
In Spanish: Cromado para niños
