Diamond chrome plating is an advanced electroplating process that combines traditional chrome plating with the incorporation of nano-sized synthetic diamond particles. This proprietary technique creates a micronodular, crack-free surface texture that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and thermal conductivity of the plated surface. The resulting coating is highly durable and capable of withstanding extreme wear conditions, making it ideal for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and plastic injection molding.
Diamond Chrome Plating
Diamond Chrome Plating
Diamond Chrome XADC
Nodular Chromium Coating with Nano-Diamond Co-Deposit
diamond coating
See the Diamond Chrome Difference
Armoloy's Diamond Chrome Plating (XADC) takes all the advantages of traditional Armoloy TDC and incorporates a co-deposit of synthetic diamonds in a proprietary electroplating technique. This results in a micronodular, crack-free surface texture that provides a hard, uniform metallic chrome-clad surface capable of withstanding the most aggressive wear applications.
The enhancement of nano-diamonds, when added to an already high-performing nodular TDC, offers additional wear protection and advanced thermal properties. Even in the presence of complex configurations, diamond chrome ensures that part tolerances remain intact without the need for post-machining while providing simultaneous multi-valued protection attributes.
Diamond Grade Surface Engineering
The Armoloy Corporation helps global manufacturers protect their most valuable, high-precision components with our premium functional coatings.
Armoloy offers two unique surface textures, (Micro Nodular / Micro Cracked) each meticulously designed to cater to your specific application needs. We engineer tailored benefits through texture versatility and co-deposits to optimize your component’s performance, effectively preventing metal failures and enhancing machine and output efficiency. Diamond Chrome XADC is one of Armoloy’s preferred solutions for manufacturers worldwide. By mitigating wear and corrosion and enhancing lubricity, our precision chromium coatings strengthen metal surfaces for various applications, extending their lifespan and improving operational consistency.
Diamond Chrome Plating Highlights
- Nano-diamond technology
- High wear resistance
- Exceptional hardness
- Excellent thermal conductivity
- Low coefficient of friction
- Promotes lower operating temperatures
- Absolute adhesion to substrate
- Withstands extreme temperatures
Proven applications
Applying diamond chrome plating can improve the long-term performance of applications within the following industries, as well as many others:
- Plastic Injection Molding
- Machined Components
- Pumps & Compressors
- Food Processing & Packaging
- Automation & Linear Motion
- Oil & Gas Extraction
- Medical
- Aerospace
- Nuclear
Test Methods used to Certify Coatings
- Aerospace Material Specification SAE AMS2438 Plating, Chromium Thin, Hard, Dense Deposit
- Aerospace Material Specification SAE AMS2406 | AMS-QQ-C-320, Chromium Plating (Electrodeposited)
- Aerospace Material Specification SAE AMS2460, Plating, Chromium
- Process Specification No. 180 Nodular Thin Dense Chromium (NTDC) Plating
- Honeywell GPS3116-1H Plating, Specialized
- Fisher FFS 2E1 Chromium Coating for Service to 1100F(593C)
- MIL—C-23422 Military Specification, Chromium Plating (Electrodeposited)
- AMS2406 Plating, Chromium, Hard Deposit
- ASTM B650 Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Engineering Chromium Coatings on Ferrous Substrates
Performance Characteristics
Diamond Chrome Plating by the Numbers
- Surface hardness above 80Rc
- 10% - 67% reduction in coefficient of friction
- Corrosion resistance tested to AMS 2438 per ASTM B-117
- Wear resistance less than 1.2 TWI per AMS 2438
- Low processing temperature <150°F (<65°C)
- Typical deposit range of .0001 to .0003" (2.54 to 7.62 µm)
- Effective deposit range of .000050” to .0007” (1.27 to 17.78 µm)
- Withstands temperatures as high as 1600°F (-240°C - 870°C)
- Thermal expansion range of 2.7 - 4.6 (10 ̄6/°F)
Diamond Chrome Plating
Features & Benefits
Co-deposited nano-diamonds
Exceptional hardness and wear resistance
Micronodular surface
Minimizes opposing surface contact, dramatically reduces friction, improves release characteristics
High wear resistance
Exceptional for glass-filled molding and high-speed bearings
Low processing temperature <150°F
Eliminates annealing and will not distort the base metal
No sharp edge buildup
Minimizes dimensional change
Chemical resistance
Stable in acids, alkalis, solvents and gasses
Anti-galling characteristics
Excellent resistance to adhesive wear, enhanced tolerance of low-lube
Thermal conduction
Produces lower temperatures in extreme heat applications – lowering friction and enhancing wear resistance
Absolute Adhesion
Will not chip, flake, or peel from the substrate
Pure metallic non-toxic chromium coating
USDA approved coating and FDA compliant, nontoxic (USP tested, REACH compliant, RoHS compliant), Bio-compatible surface
Thin, precise deposits
Does not require post plate machining. Will not affect part tolerances or balance
Lubrication retention
Nodular surface retains dry and wet lubricants
The Science Behind Diamond Chrome Plating
For industries with particularly high-wear applications, diamond chrome plating provides a superior option to alternative metal surface treatments. Similar to our traditional Armoloy TDC treatment, diamond chrome plating offers a hard and dense, yet thin chromium coating with a micronodular surface texture. The primary difference, however is that the co-deposited nano diamonds allow for increased thermal conduction that provides 20% higher cooling capabilities.
Additionally, with its advanced hardness and wear resistance, Armoloy’s Diamond Chrome Plating XADC works as an application for nearly every common manufacturing steel. You can also expect absolute adhesion that will not chip, peel, or flake from the substrate—as well as increased corrosion resistance.
Additional Metal Treatments
Services at Armoloy
The Armoloy Corporation is here to provide support for your project, starting from the discovery phase and continuing through a successful production launch. Whether coatings are considered during the initial part design phase or become necessary due to product failures in the field, our team can assist you at any stage in the process.
Research & Development
Fully equipped R&D plating lab for test runs, prototyping, and continual development of our plating technologies. Our turnkey approach ensures high-quality outcomes for your project.
Process Development & Validation
Support from design to product launch with coating selection, prototyping, testing, PPAP validation, and plating production on any scale. We also support a range of ASTM and AMS test methods with a NADCAP-certified laboratory.
Fulfillment
Armoloy ensures the development of a robust plating process that can be distributed to one of our 16 plating facilities. We’ll handle prototyping, process validation, and much more.
How Metals Fail
Some of the most common metal failures include:
Armoloy’s different metal coating solutions help industries avoid costly metal failures and unplanned downtime.
Partner With Us
Improve metal surface performance to its highest pinnacle. Meet our group of curious, innovative engineers and learn how we can help improve your industry with science-based solutions.
Nano diamond coating is a process where a thin layer of diamond particles, typically at the nanometer scale, is applied to a material to enhance its properties. Diamond coating is achieved through methods like electroplating or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Benefits of diamond coating include:
- Enhanced Hardness: Significantly increases surface hardness and wear resistance.
- Low Friction: Reduces friction, improving the efficiency and lifespan of components.
- Thermal Conductivity: Offers high thermal conductivity for better heat dissipation.
- Corrosion Resistance: Provides excellent protection against corrosion.
- Surface Uniformity: Results in a smooth, uniform surface with tight dimensional tolerances.
Diamond coatings, including diamond chrome coatings, are used in various industries for their exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and thermal conductivity. Key applications include:
Aerospace:
- Engine Components: Enhances wear resistance and reduces friction in high-temperature, high-pressure environments.
- Landing Gear: Protects against corrosion and mechanical stress.
- Engine Parts: Improves performance and reduces wear on pistons, valves, and camshafts.
- Gear Systems: Increases efficiency and lifespan of gears and transmissions.
- Drills and Saws: Ideal for cutting hard materials due to superior hardness and sharpness.
- Machining Tools: Enhances tool life and cutting performance.
- Surgical Instruments: Provides a hard, wear-resistant surface for precision tools.
- Implants: Enhances biocompatibility and resistance to wear and corrosion.
- Molds and Dies: Reduces wear from abrasive materials and improves part release. Corrects degassing problems.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: Protects wafers and components, improving thermal management.
- Heat Sinks: Aids in heat dissipation in electronic devices.
- Drilling Equipment: Protects against wear and corrosion in harsh environments.
- Pumps and Valves: Extends service life of components exposed to abrasive materials.
- Processing Equipment: Improves wear resistance and maintains hygiene standards by eliminating contamination potential as a crack-free surface.
- Bearings: Reduces friction and increases wear resistance.
- Hydraulic Components: Enhances performance in demanding environments.
XADC is a co-deposit of spherical nanodiamonds and Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome. XADC is useful for many applications and particularly excels as a coating for injection molds where high glass fiber resins are used, or in rotating components where especially low friction is desirable.