Coating Technology's Advances and Advantages
Various methods are available to optimize component surfaces to meet application requirements and therefore satisfy design functions. In addition to the usual surface treatment methods including burnishing, chrome plating, anodizing and metal coating (chemical, electroplating) MISUMI can also provide other measures which endow components with very important properties for a whole range of applications. This issue looks at the properties of LTBC platings.
Corrosion resistance test
Test Samples: Linear Bushings -Flanged Type-
Test method: Corresponds to cyclic test pursuant to JIS H 8502 (complex corrosion test method)
Test conditions:
- 1 Salt water spray test (5% NaCl, 35 C)
- 2 hours
- 2 Dry (60 C)
- 3 Wet (85% rel. H, 50 C)
The appearance of the test samples is compared with the original condition after 72 hours and 168 hours.
Low Temperature Black Chrome plating (LTBC) is a platings technology which uses an electrochemical reaction below 0 C. Through platings process an alloy-like diffusion layer is formed at the outer margin of the part, allowing chrome particles to completely integrated the base material and create "inseparable" bond. This means that the platings can neither be peeled off nor flaked off. The surface consists of a uniform film creating an extremely resistant rust protection layer incorporating chrome-ceramic technology. LTBC-plated shafts and components boast service lives exceeding 10 years. Components with this platings have fracture resistant surfaces with a high level of alternate-bending strength. The ¯ tolerances of the components remain technologically unaffected. The components can be used in applications specifying corrosion resistance or minimal reflection. While LTBC corrosion resistance is usually guaranteed for over 10 years, in some cases up to 20 years and beyond is possible.
Click image to enlarge.
Low Temperature Black Chrome plating is coming soon to the 2008 MISUMI catalog.
Products include linear shafts, linear bushings, linear guides, ball screws, and washers.
Advantages at a glance
- No hydrogen embrittlement, no tempering required (complete preservation of the original material properties)
- Improved hardness/elasticity ratio
- Best plating for carbon steels (1045)
- No frictional peeling
- The most resistant and the most effective rust protection plating achieved by all conventional methods
- Increasing the service life of components with respect to rust protection and abrasion
- Plating thicknesses of 1-5 m; no geometrical changes