The Armoloy Corporation is an innovative, US-based metal finishing company specializing in thin dense chrome and coatings application engineering. This franchising organization is equipped with an in-house metallurgical and chemical testing laboratory that focuses on the research and development of new coating technologies and applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Armoloy Corporation helps Improve metal surface performance to its highest pinnacle. Whether you’re already a partner or interested in learning more about us, we’re here to help answer any questions you may have. View a list of some of the most common questions we receive below.
The Armoloy Corporation performs all chemical, mechanical, and corrosion testing in our in-house laboratory. Armoloy also partners with 3rd party laboratories for additional testing methods when necessary.
- 9 licensed facilities across 7 U.S. states, offering regional coating services and fast turnaround.
- 6 international facilities located in 6 different countries, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Hard chrome for durability and wear protection
- Decorative chrome for aesthetic applications
- Thin Dense Chrome (TDC®) — Armoloy’s proprietary version, engineered for precision, uniformity, and long-lasting performance
- Plating: This involves depositing a layer of metal onto a substrate using electrochemical or chemical processes. Examples include thin dense chrome plating, gold plating, and nickel plating. Plating is primarily used for improving corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and aesthetic appeal.
- Coating: This can include a broader range of materials and techniques, such as paint, powder coating, or polymer coatings. Coatings can be applied by spraying, dipping, or brushing, and are used for protection against corrosion, improving appearance, and providing thermal or electrical insulation.
Are Armoloy TDC Coatings Magnetic?
No, Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome (TDC) coatings are non-magnetic.
This characteristic is especially important in industries where magnetic interference could cause performance issues or safety concerns. Non-magnetic coatings like Armoloy TDC are ideal for:
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Medical Devices: In surgical environments and MRI applications, magnetic materials can interfere with sensitive imaging equipment or pose risks during procedures. Non-magnetic surfaces ensure compatibility with diagnostic tools and reduce the chance of distortion in imaging results.
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Electronics and Semiconductors: Precision instruments and high-frequency devices often require non-magnetic components to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can degrade signal quality or disrupt functionality.
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Aerospace and Defense: In these industries, non-magnetic materials help prevent navigational and communication disturbances, especially in environments where radar or sensitive magnetic sensors are involved.
In contrast, magnetic coatings may be suitable for industrial applications where magnetic properties are beneficial—for instance, in magnetic clamps, lifting equipment, or sensing mechanisms that rely on ferromagnetic interaction.
Armoloy TDC’s non-magnetic nature, combined with its exceptional wear resistance, corrosion protection, and hardness, makes it a trusted solution for components where both mechanical durability and magnetic neutrality are essential.
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- Finite element analysis
- Thermal analysis
- Computational fluid dynamics
Where Are PFAS Found?
PFAS can be found in:
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-repellent fabrics
- Food packaging
- Firefighting foams
- Industrial processes, including chrome plating for mist suppression
Why Are PFAS a Concern?
PFAS have been linked to:
- Environmental contamination of water, soil, and air
- Accumulation in humans and wildlife
- Potential health risks, including hormonal disruptions, immune system effects, and certain cancers
- Air Filtration: Installing advanced air filtration systems to remove particles before they enter the engine.
- Coatings: Applying wear-resistant coatings to the turbine blades to enhance their durability.
- Regular Maintenance: Conducting regular inspections and maintenance to identify early signs of wear and address them promptly.
- Use of Lubricants: Applying appropriate lubricants to reduce friction and wear.
- Surface Treatments: Employing surface coatings or treatments to increase hardness and resistance to fretting.
- Design Modifications: Improving joint design to minimize relative motion and increase contact stability.
- High Contact Stresses: The interaction between the wheel and rail generates high contact stresses at the gauge corner, leading to material fatigue and crack initiation.
- Rolling Contact Fatigue: Repetitive rolling contact under high loads causes micro-cracks to form and propagate in the rail material.
- Friction and Slip: The relative motion between the wheel and rail, especially during curves or braking, induces additional shear stresses and contributes to crack growth.
- Material Properties: Rail steel composition and microstructure play a critical role in susceptibility to GCC. Harder rail materials may resist wear but can be more prone to cracking under cyclic loading.
- Environmental Factors: Temperature variations, moisture, and contamination can exacerbate the development and propagation of cracks.
- Regular Inspections: Conducting frequent inspections using non-destructive testing methods, such as ultrasonic or eddy current testing, to detect early signs of GCC.
- Rail Grinding: Periodic rail grinding to remove surface defects and maintain optimal rail profile, reducing stress concentrations.
- Lubrication: Applying rail lubricants or friction modifiers to minimize friction and wear at the gauge corner.
- Material Improvements: Utilizing advanced rail steels with improved resistance to fatigue and cracking.
- Mechanical Interlocking Theory: This theory posits that adhesion occurs when the adhesive penetrates the pores and irregularities of the substrate, creating a mechanical bond. This interlocking effect enhances the adhesive strength by anchoring the adhesive to the surface.
- Electrostatic Theory: According to this theory, adhesion results from electrostatic forces between the adhesive and the substrate. When two surfaces come into contact, an electrical double layer forms, generating electrostatic attraction that contributes to the adhesive bond.
- Diffusion Theory: This theory suggests that adhesion is due to the interdiffusion of molecules at the interface of the adhesive and the substrate. When materials with similar molecular structures come into contact, their molecules intermix, creating a strong adhesive bond through molecular entanglement.
- Chemical Bonding Theory: This theory states that adhesion is caused by the formation of chemical bonds (such as covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonds) between the adhesive and the substrate. These bonds result from chemical reactions at the interface, providing strong adhesion.
- Relative Motion: Micro-movements or vibrations between contact surfaces, typically in the range of micrometers to millimeters, lead to repeated contact and separation.
- High Contact Pressure: Increased contact pressure intensifies the frictional forces and wear between the surfaces.
- Environmental Conditions: Presence of oxygen and humidity can exacerbate fretting by forming abrasive oxide particles (fretting corrosion).
- Material Properties: Softer materials are more susceptible to fretting wear, and the presence of hard particles can act as abrasives.
- Surface Roughness: Rough surfaces increase the likelihood of asperity interactions, leading to higher wear rates.
- Cyclic Loading: Components subjected to cyclic or oscillatory loads, such as vibrations or thermal cycling, are more prone to fretting.
- Bolted Joints: Slight movements in bolted joints due to dynamic loading.
- Bearings: Micro-movements between bearing surfaces under load.
- Electrical Contacts: Vibrations in electrical connectors leading to fretting corrosion.
- Stainless steel (in chlorides): Most susceptible between 50°C and 150°C (122°F–302°F), especially in marine or humid industrial environments.
- Carbon steel (in caustics): SCC often starts above 60°C (140°F), particularly in strong alkaline conditions.
- Brass (in ammonia): Cracking can occur at room temperature, commonly known as season cracking.
- High-strength alloys: Certain aluminum or titanium alloys may crack across a broader range depending on the environment and load.
- Level 1: Part Submission Warrant (PSW) only
- Level 2: PSW plus limited supporting data and product samples
- Level 3: PSW with complete supporting documentation and product samples (most common level)
- Level 4: PSW and additional requirements defined by the customer
- Level 5: Full documentation and samples with an on-site review at the production facility
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