InnerArmor® – Advanced Technology for Internal Surface Coating
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InnerArmor Benefits:

  • Blocks Corrosion
  • Reduces Wear
  • Halts Erosion
  • Reduces Metal Fatigue
  • Minimizes Friction
  • Maximizes Flow
  • Reduces Costs
  • Protects Purity

InnerArmor for Hard Chrome Replacement

InnerArmor coatings are a technological breakthrough that benefit many industries including oil & gas, chemical processing, automotive, aerospace and semiconductor. Before InnerArmor coatings were introduced, hard chrome plating served the same industries. Chrome plating was applied to increase wear resistance, lubricity, oil retention and other purposes. It served to resist corrosion, increase surface hardness, and reduce friction.

 

Today, InnerArmor coatings can provide those enhancements to an even greater degree — along with many additional advantages. See how InnerArmor compares with hard chrome plating in the chart and other data below...

 

 

 
  Chrome Plating InnerArmor Coatings
Hardness / Wear Resistance 700-1000 HV 1000-2500 HV
Corrosion Resistance Susceptible to pinholes Inert to most chemicals
Coefficient of Friction (COF) 0.2 <0.1
Internal Coverage / Uniformity No line-of-site requirement,
part must account for variability in coating
No line-of-site requirement,
good uniformity
Coating Thickness Up to 500 microns 1-80 microns
Environmental Impact Permit required, very toxic None
Cost of Ownership High Medium

 

 

Hardness / Wear Resistance

Hard chrome coatings deliver strong wear resistance but typically require a very thick coating. Since InnerArmor coatings are nearly twice as hard as chrome plating, a much thinner coating can deliver better wear resistance. The multiple layers of InnerArmor coatings can be fine tuned to the specific type of wear (e.g. sliding, abrasive, erosive) encountered in a given application.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Chrome is susceptible to cracking, which can compromise its ability to resist corrosion. Since corrosion is an electrochemical reaction, metals like chrome are inherently more corrosive than inert insulators like InnerArmor. Also, in harsher environments, chrome often requires various non-corrosive coatings be applied to the part to supplement chrome. With strong corrosion protection, InnerArmor coatings are designed to be inert to the application environment. They are pinhole free and protect against most corrosive materials including
H2S, HCl, HF, CH4, CO2, and Salt.

 

Coefficient of Friction

Hard chrome coatings typically require a polishing process after being applied in order to smooth the coating. Even after this process, components are left with relatively poor friction characteristics. Bonding to the surface with no further processing required, InnerArmor Coatings have a much lower coefficient of friction, which leads to improved efficiency in automotive and many other applications.

 

Internal Coverage / Uniformity

The process of plating hard chrome to a part can amplify surface defects and roughness because hard chrome has no leveling effect. Unlike chrome plating, which may require designs to accommodate the uneven nature of the process, InnerArmor follows the shape of the substrate as it is chemically bonded. Like glass, InnerArmor coatings are intrinsically self-leveling, for smooth, uniform coverage even across long lengths of tubing.

 

Coating Thickness

Chrome plating provides a thick layer of protection, which substantially decreases flow of matter through the substrate. The amount of energy required to move the same volume is higher compared to InnerArmor coatings, which offer improved wear protection with a thinner coating. Using a layered approach, InnerArmor coatings are adapted to meet the thickness requirements of the application.

 

Environment Impact

Today, there is a greater emphasis on creating processes that produce less discharge, therefore helping to preserve the ozone. The process of hard chrome plating uses harsh, hazardous materials, including hexavalent chromium which is recognized as a human carcinogen. Chrome plating also faces stiffening government regulations. In contrast, InnerArmor processes generate no major waste products and are considered benign and environmentally friendly.

 

Cost of Ownership

Chrome plating requires multiple steps including processing at specially permitted sites to meet environmental regulations and post processing to complete preparation of the surface. Because of environmental regulations, the availability of chrome plating services is limited. InnerArmor coatings are applied in a one step process as part of an organization’s manufacturing line or at an authorized coating partner’s facility. No special permits are required to deliver the process and no post surface processing is required. With InnerArmor coatings, customers can reduce component shipping and post processing labor while applying an environmentally benign coating with improved performance.

 

Industries Served

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