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This section provides an overview for chromating services as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 chromating service companies and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked chromating service companies as of December, 2024: 1.Gatto Industrial Platers, Inc, 2.River Street Metal Finishing, Inc..
Table of Contents
Chrome plating is a process where a metal surface is coated with chromium to enhance corrosion resistance, hardness, and aesthetics. This treatment, which covers the material with a chrome-based film, is notable for its silver color with a bluish hue, offering a distinct luster that enhances the item's design. Despite its aesthetic appeal, chrome plating faces challenges in achieving uniform film thickness and electrical conductivity.
Chrome plating finds applications in both decorative and functional contexts. Decoratively, it is used on automotive exteriors, lighting fixtures, and accessories for its visual appeal and durability. For functional purposes, chrome plating is applied to parts requiring enhanced reliability and performance, such as in automotive and heavy machinery components, due to its exceptional hardness and resistance to harsh conditions.
The process involves submerging the material in a chromic acid and sulfuric acid solution, typically heated to around 122 °F (50 °C), and initiating an electrolytic reduction reaction. This reaction deposits chromium metal onto the material, forming a protective metal film. The distribution of this film can be uneven, with thicker deposits at high-current areas and thinner layers in low-current regions, posing a challenge in achieving consistent film thickness.
Chrome plating is differentiated by the intended application.
Applied as a thin layer, often less than 1 μm, atop other metal coatings to impart a shiny appearance and improve corrosion resistance. It's commonly used in automotive exteriors with multiple underlying metal layers for enhanced performance.
Characterized by a thickness exceeding 1 μm, this industrial-grade plating emphasizes durability with a hard, wear-resistant film. Hard chrome plating is valued for its exceptional Vickers hardness and is applied in scenarios demanding high wear resistance.
1. Hexavalent Chromium Main
Predominantly used in chrome plating solutions, hexavalent chromium is recognized as hazardous under international regulations. Despite its performance advantages, its use is controversial due to environmental concerns, necessitating careful waste treatment to mitigate its harmful effects.
2. Trivalent Chromium Main
As an environmentally friendlier alternative, trivalent chromium solutions have gained popularity. These solutions allow for a range of color tones and are often combined with bright nickel plating to preserve the metal's luster.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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BUNTY LLC, established in 2000, is an AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015 and CVMSDC certified manufacturing company that services the automotive, aerospace, energy and medical industries based in the US. The company’s customers include the largest tire manufacturer in the world, the transmission supplier to a large Japanese automaker, and Tier I manufacturers in automotive shocks, brakes, drive trains, and mirror assemblies. It also provides stainless steel parts for the food processing industry that meet FDA standards. It has evolved and became a full-service custom machined, forged and cast metal parts fabrication enterprise, with domestic and overseas manufacturing, warehousing and inspection facilities.
Advanced Plating Technologies (APT) is an American contract manufacturer specializing in metal plating and finishing services that was originally founded in 1948 as the Artistic Plating Company before rebranding in 2013. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company offers plating services using various metals such as gold, electrolytic nickel, and electroless nickel. They also provide finishing and surface treatment capabilities including passivation, cleaning, and powder coating. APT chiefly serves clients in the power transmission and distribution, telecommunication, electric vehicle, and ammunition and firearms industries.
River Street Metal Finishing, Inc. (RSMF) is a Massachusetts-based contract manufacturer specializing in the precision finishing of aluminum and metal products. Founded in 1991, the company serves client manufacturers in automotive, defense, aerospace, and consumer electronics. The company produces various finished workpieces for its customers including chromated, anodized, and hard coat anodized aluminum parts, as well as passivated stainless steel components. RSMF also offers a range of services to its customers, such as quality control, order tracking, and intricate masking.
Ace Anodizing & Impregnanting Inc., established in 1959 and situated in Hillside, Illinois, is a Custom Manufacturer and Metal Finishing Service Company. Ace Anodizing offers architectural anodizing processes through traditional electrochemical Type II Sulfuric and Type III hard coat anodic processes, that provide a finish to components used on building exteriors. Also, the company offers the bright dip process that gives the finished piece a reflective, mirror-type finish through chemical polishing. Ace Anodizing manufactures parts from aluminum, aluminum alloys, sand cast and die cast aluminum. Its applications range from golf carts to window frames, solar panels and roofing systems.
Global Metal Finishing, founded in 1987 and based in Roanoke, Virginia, USA, is an AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and NADCAP certified manufacturer and supplier of precision hard coating solutions. The company's product lineup includes hardcoats, anodizing, passivation, chromate & RoHS, and custom services. These offerings are instrumental in achieving uniform coating on intricate geometric parts, assuring both protection and aesthetic appeal. Serving industries such as aerospace, automotive, machinery manufacturing, and electronics, its solutions are used to augment the visual appeal of diverse components. Its services treatment procedures, steadfast adherence to industry standards, and customized solutions.
Modern Metal Finishing Inc. is a metal finishing company that provides a wide range of services, including electroplating, anodizing, and powder coating. It is headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut, and was established in 1992. The company specializes in metal finishing services that include electroplating, a process that coats metal with a thin layer of another metal or anodizing, a process that forms a protective oxide layer on the surface of a metal. MMF also does powder coating, a process that applies a powder coating to the surface of a metal. Modern Metal Finishing Inc. serves multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace, and medical.
Peak Finishing is a reputable provider of surface finishing and metal coating solutions that is based in Apex, North Carolina, USA, and was established in 1994. Peak Finishing specializes in delivering a comprehensive range of surface treatment services, including powder coating, electroplating, and metal polishing. These solutions cater to various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods. The company offers services such as Type II Anodization, Electroless Nickel, Zinc Plating, Type III Anodizeation and Bright Nickel Plating.
Advanced Surface Technologies (AST), established in 1967, is a player in the metal finishing industry based in Arvada, Colorado. The company specializes in providing metal finishing services, including electroless nickel plating, gold plating, silver plating, plating on magnesium, tin plating, electrolytic nickel plating, passivation, and chemical conversion coatings. AST serves clients across the United States, catering to both local customers and those throughout the country. With a strong hold on plating and polishing services, AST stands as a partner for various industries requiring surface treatment solutions. The company has a history of over six decades in providing these specialized services.
Anodics Inc. was founded in 1965 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, as a provider of metal plating services, including anodizing and chromate conversion metal coating processes. The company offers RoHs compliant Chromate Conversion Coating and Anodizing Metal Coating Process with Type 1 – Class 1, Type 1B – Class 1, Type 2 – Class 1 & 2, and Type 2B – Class 1 services. The services play a crucial role in aircraft and vehicle design, serving as a crucial surface treatment for processes like powder coating and adhesive bonding. The company serves various industries, including aerospace, military, automotive, and commercial electronics.
Sun-Glo Plating Company, located in Florida, is a finishing service provider to clients of all scales, from small to industrial-sized. The company offers cleaning, polishing, machining, and finishing services that enhance the durability, appearance, and performance of metal components and surfaces. They also provide a range of industrial plating and metal coatings solutions, including anodizing, CNC machining, conversion coating, electroless nickel plating, and electroplating. Additionally, Sun-Glo Plating Company offers services such as passivation, powder coating, tumble finishing, vapor degreasing, and wet paint application for several industries such as automotive, furniture, and general manufacturing.
US Anodize, formally known as Industrial Metal Plating, is based in Pennsylvania, United States, and specialized in aluminum anodizing and chromate conversion since 1959. The company offers custom anodizing solutions including oxide coatings of up to 2.0 mils and permanent finishes in unique colors. Anodizing is an electrochemical finishing process that ensures durability and corrosion resistance. US Anodize also provides chromate conversion coatings meant to protect aluminum alloys from corrosion while retaining their electrical conductivity. They also offer laser engraving services for various materials such as plastic and leather.
Automatic Anodizing, established in 1947 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a manufacturer of aluminum finishing solutions. The company specializes in services such as bright dip anodizing, clear anodizing, color anodizing, and hard coat anodizing (with the Teflon option), strictly adhering to various industry standards such as Type II and III, Class 1 and 2 MIL-A-8625 and MIL-C-5541. These products excel at delivering solutions for applications such as anti-lock brake assemblies, pump components, valves, sliding parts, and more. It serves sectors including medical, military, aerospace, food, and more. It is aligned with industry associations such as AAC, NADCA, and PMPA.
Hubs, formerly known as 3D Hubs, B.V., founded in 2013 and a subsidiary of Proto Labs, Inc., is a manufacturer headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands that specializes in developing online manufacturing platform. The company offers a platform that connects engineers with manufacturing partners, offering a range of capabilities, including 3D printing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, injection molding for prototypes and production tooling, and sheet metal fabrication. Notably, the company has evolved from a peer-to-peer 3D printing network to include full-service manufacturing, with clients like National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)
Aluma-Tec Industries, Inc., established in 1990 and based in Waukesha, WI, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of anodizing and chromate conversion products for aluminum. The company's product range includes color anodizing, clear hard coat anodizing, black hard coat anodizing, hex chromate conversion, and non-hex (Trivalent) chromate conversion. These products offer finishes with corrosion and abrasion resistance. These products are used in sectors like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and construction. The company provides services such as Anodizing, Hard Coat Anodizing, Chromate Conversion, and Masking and plugging.
Sun Industry Co., Ltd., established in 1949 with headquarters in Ina City, Nagano, Japan, is a supplier of specialty surface treatments for industry. The company's facilities offer numerous lines for such processes as electroless nickel plating, hard chrome plating, electroless tin plating, magnesium chemical conversion treatments, and stainless electropolishing. It acquired IATF 16949 certification of approval for the automotive industry in 2022 and serves industries that include automotive, agriculture machinery, electronics manufacturing, medical equipment manufacturing, and new energy.
DuBois Chemicals, established in 1920, based in Sharonville, Ohio, is a supplier of chemical products and solutions. The company provides products and solutions to various industries, including the automotive, manufacturing, food and beverages, water treatment, and heavy equipment, among others. Additionally, it's local technical teams offer equipment recommendations or use the existing equipment to accomplish the customer’s request faster and at a lower cost. The company’s delivery services offered included frequent communication to address your needs and expectations, individual and team responsibility and accountability, and continuous improvement culture.
Chicago Anodizing Co., established in 1947 and located in Chicago, Illinois, is a supplier of metal finishing services and anodized finishes. The company operates from a 70,000-square-foot facility equipped with two full-service anodizing lines, a bright dipping line, as well as advanced equipment such as hand polishing and buffing machines and laser-marking robotic cells. The company encompasses processes such as Type II (sulfuric) and Type III hardcoat anodizing, bulk anodizing, aluminum chromate conversion coating, conversion coating, and CHEMBLAST 4100. It serves industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, firearms, tool storage, and medical.
TWR Service Corp., established in 1969, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a high tech plating distributor specializing in Electroless Nickel and precious metal platings. The company offers metal finishing and plating services for single, prototype and production quantities. Service capabilities include high phosphorus electroless nickel plating, mid phosphorus electroless nickel plating, low phos electroless nickel plating, electroless nickel with silicon carbide, and electroless nickel with PTFE plating, among others. The company’s customer services includes flexibility to meet delivery schedules and assist in plating requests.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gatto Industrial Platers, Inc |
50.0%
|
| 2 | River Street Metal Finishing, Inc. |
50.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the chromating service page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
12 | 85.7% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 7.1% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 7.1% |
