Armorclad Plating

31500 Pamco Court • Livonia, MI • 48150 • (734) 838-0444

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Armorclad Precision Thin Dense Chromium (TDC) plating is a unique form of industrial hard chrome plating. It is extremely thin and very uniform resulting in precision electroplated chrome deposits. Armorclad (TDC) is not a buildup process like industrial hard chrome. It is a final finish process to protect manufactured components.

Armorclad (TDC) is deposited in thickness' of 0.000020" to 0.00020" depending on the application for which it is being used. Normally, it is applied at a thickness of 0.000050" - 0.000080". Armorclad (TDC) is very uniform, and because of this uniformity and limited buildup, undersizing is usually not necessary and grinding after processing is eliminated. In most cases, a detail is ready for use after Armorclad (TDC) is applied; it is the final step in the manufacturing sequence.

The Armorclad (TDC) Process imparts a micro-orange peel finish to the surface. This type of finish is ideal for lubricant retention and dispersion. The orange peel finish can be observed with a 10x or 20x microscope. The Armorclad (TDC) is compatible with most finishes. A finish with a R.M.S. value of 8 or greater will be slightly improved; 4 R.M.S. finish or less will be slightly affected upward. Armorclad (TDC) can be lapped and polished, even to a mirror finish, if so desired. It will conform to the existing surface, therefore, tool marks will show under the plating. Intentional engraving or etching, however, will not be covered up.

The methods employed for surface preparation and application are rigidly controlled to produce a superior metallic bonding between the base metal and Armorclad (TDC). The bond is so tenacious it will adhere under standard bend tests, withstand the forces developed during cold extrusion and forming, and allow repeated flexing without chipping, flaking, cracking, peeling, or separating. Processing is performed at low temperatures, (below 150° F), thus eliminating the possibility of distortion regardless of cross section and length. The mechanical characteristics of the base material such as strength, elasticity, ductility, creep, hardness, and toughness are in no way affected by the Armorclad (TDC).

Armorclad (TDC) can be applied to all ferrous metals (all alloys) and many nonferrous metals. It can be used on details made of brass, bronze, cast iron, powdered metal, Stellite, carbide, copper, beryllium copper, Monel, stainless, and carbon and alloys of steel.

HARDNESS:
When applied to a hardened substrate, the thin layer of Armorclad (TDC) has an as deposited equivalent hardness of 70-72 on the Rockwell C scale. Armorclad (TDC) is not a substitute for heat treatment. Although Armorclad (TDC) is hard, it is also thin, and may give way if the substrate underneath is stressed to failure.

COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION:
Armorclad (TDC), when applied to one surface of any two sliding steel surfaces, will reduce friction. Applying Armorclad (TDC) onto the other mating surface will additionally reduce friction. Depending on the base material, surface finish, and use of lubricants, the coefficient of friction will range from 0.12 to 0.18.

CORROSION RESISTANCE:
Armorclad (TDC) provides an excellent corrosion resistant surface, depending on the thickness applied. It is impervious to most organic or inorganic substances. Results obtained from the standard ASTM Salt Test have verified its effectiveness. Armorclad (TDC) will not provide corrosion resistance to hydrochloric acid in any concentration, however, it has performed well when only vapors are present as in molding PVC plastics.

HEAT RESISTANCE:
Armorclad will perform well at temperatures normally experienced in manufacturing. It will withstand ambient temperatures between -400° F and 1890° F. Hardness and wear resistance will diminish as the temperature of the detail, which has been Armorclad, exceeds 700° F. At temperatures above 1300° F, it will react detrimentally with carbon monoxide, sulfur vapor, and phosphorous. At bright red heat, oxidation occurs in steam or alkali hydroxide atmospheres.

PROCESS TEMPERATURE:
The Armorclad (TDC) process is performed at low temperatures (below 150° F), eliminating growth, distortion or warping. This low temperature process will not effect the mechanical characteristics of the bare metal such as hardness, strength, creep, ductility, elasticity or toughness.