Editing Chrome plating (section)

==Process==
The preparation and chrome plating of a part typically includes some or all of these steps:
* [[Surface finishing#Mechanical finishing|Surface preparation]]
* Manual cleaning to remove dirt and surface impurities
* Removal of remaining organic contaminants using emulsion cleaning, [[Cleaning agent#Alkaline|alkaline]] cleaning, anodic electrocleaning, or [[Solvent degreasing#Spraying|solvent cleaning]] by immersion, spray, manual application, or [[Vapor degreasing|vapor condensation]]<ref name="MIL-S-5002D">{{cite web |title=MIL-S-5002D: Surface Treatments and Inorganic Coatings for Metal Surfaces of Weapons Systems |url=http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-S/MIL-S-5002D_8571/ |website=EverySpec |access-date=21 March 2023}}</ref>
* Rinsing
* [[Activation]] or [[electroetching]]
* Rinsing (not necessary if the activation and plating steps are done in the same bath)
* Immersion in the chrome plating bath, where the part is allowed to warm to solution temperature
* Application of plating current for the required time to attain the desired thickness
* Rinsing

There are many variations to this process, depending on the type of substrate being plated. Different substrates need different etching solutions, such as [[Hydrochloric acid|hydrochloric]], [[hydrofluoric acid|hydrofluoric]], and [[sulfuric acid]]s. [[Ferric chloride]] is also popular for the etching of [[nimonic]] alloys. Sometimes the component enters the chrome plating vat while electrically live. Sometimes the component has a conforming anode made from lead/tin or platinized titanium. A typical hard chrome vat plates at about {{convert|0.001|in|μm}} per hour.

Some common industry specifications governing the chrome plating process are AMS 2460, AMS 2406, and MIL-STD-1501.