Chromed my Tow Hooks
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From: Northern California
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I have heard that chrome plating weakens metal so I googled it and this is what I found, don't know if it is true though.
When chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (copper plated). The difference in EMF (Electro-Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This will result in weakening of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating, and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish. Wheels of cast light alloy, with their porous surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of forged light alloys
When chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (copper plated). The difference in EMF (Electro-Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This will result in weakening of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating, and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish. Wheels of cast light alloy, with their porous surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of forged light alloys
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I have heard that chrome plating weakens metal so I googled it and this is what I found, don't know if it is true though.
When chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (copper plated). The difference in EMF (Electro-Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This will result in weakening of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating, and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish. Wheels of cast light alloy, with their porous surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of forged light alloys
When chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (copper plated). The difference in EMF (Electro-Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This will result in weakening of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating, and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish. Wheels of cast light alloy, with their porous surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of forged light alloys
The thin layer of copper is not called anodizing. It's called a strike, basically forming a stronger bond between the base material and the plating (adhesion). Strikes are usually copper or nickel, depending on the situation and base material.
Theres a million different factors that go into plating... so I can't comment directly on the fact that chrome plating weakens the base material, but in most cases the chrome will not weaken it.
As for the heating, again it all depends on the situation... we do aerospace plating, so pretty much everything is heat treated (chrome is usually between 275-375 for 24 hours, within an 8 hour timespan between the plate & bake.
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From: Sunny Florida
Hmm.. as a metal plater production manager, most of that doesn't seem right.
The thin layer of copper is not called anodizing. It's called a strike, basically forming a stronger bond between the base material and the plating (adhesion). Strikes are usually copper or nickel, depending on the situation and base material.
Theres a million different factors that go into plating... so I can't comment directly on the fact that chrome plating weakens the base material, but in most cases the chrome will not weaken it.
As for the heating, again it all depends on the situation... we do aerospace plating, so pretty much everything is heat treated (chrome is usually between 275-375 for 24 hours, within an 8 hour timespan between the plate & bake.
The thin layer of copper is not called anodizing. It's called a strike, basically forming a stronger bond between the base material and the plating (adhesion). Strikes are usually copper or nickel, depending on the situation and base material.
Theres a million different factors that go into plating... so I can't comment directly on the fact that chrome plating weakens the base material, but in most cases the chrome will not weaken it.
As for the heating, again it all depends on the situation... we do aerospace plating, so pretty much everything is heat treated (chrome is usually between 275-375 for 24 hours, within an 8 hour timespan between the plate & bake.
Chrome plating does not weaken carbon steel. If it does then I have about $30k in weakened Snap-on tools
Anodizing is done either thru brush or diping in a tank of alodine. It is actually a corrosive process for aluminum and has nothing to do with copper plating.
The googled reference above was for aluminum. Perhaps chrome plating weakens aluminum?
At any rate, our tow hooks are made of carbon steel.
To the op: the chrome hooks look good
Last edited by BlackFX4x4; May 5, 2008 at 01:46 AM.
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Looks good $60 doesnt sound bad either!
NOt sure if it weakens the metal or not. but be realistic it cant be that bad guys.
Its still a closed hook design and I highly doubt anyone on here will find the breaking point of them.
$60 doesnt sound bad either! NOt sure if it weakens the metal or not. but be realistic it cant be that bad guys.
Its still a closed hook design and I highly doubt anyone on here will find the breaking point of them.
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Hey I think they look pretty good...will definately set your truck apart from the rest...but if you do use them..I'd only use a tow strap that has the loops on the ends instead of hooks...that's all I use now. But like you said..if you need to pull something you'll use the hitch.