What Does
Sulfamate Nickel Chrome Mean?
Sulfamate nickel chrome is a two-step electroplating process that uses the benefits of both the nickel process as well as the hard chrome plating process. Sulfamate nickel produces a 99.9% pure deposit, can resist high temperatures and is extremely ductile. The high purity of this nickel process produces an amorphous deposit. This deposit has no grain boundaries, therefore no areas for corrosion to penetrate and attack the substrate.
Corrosionpedia Explains Sulfamate Nickel Chrome
While hard chrome plating has some corrosion resistance of its own, it is mainly used for its wear properties, and due to its low coefficient of friction, is excellent for sliding seal wear. However, due to microscopic traverse cracks that run from the surface to the substrate, extremely corrosive environments can penetrate those cracks, attack the substrate, causing corrosion, which in turn comprises the bond resulting in chrome peeling/flaking off the surface. This is the main reason for chrome failure in high chloride environments.
In the oil & gas drilling industry, high chloride environments can cause drilling tool corrosion issues and premature failures. Whether it is land or offshore drilling, the nichrome (NiCr) process can help maximize bearing and seal area life in these environments, essentially allowing the hard chrome deposit to use its wear resistance to its full potential without corrosion causing early failure.