Integrated Production with the DynaChrome® system
Atotech DynaChrome® is the first, and currently the only, hard chrome plating system capable of being fully integrated into the production process. The chrome plating takes place immediately after pregrinding. This eliminates storage periods requiring temporary corrosion protection. It also substantially reduces the risk of transport damage to the piston rods. In contrast to conventional systems, the DynaChrome® system plates to final specifications. Grinding to size can now be omitted from mechanical post-processing – which substantially reduces chromium consumption. The next sequential mechanical production step is polishing or superfinishing.
The EDEN® system for Electroless Nickel
A continuous production process with potentially unlimited bath life.
EDEN® is a fully automated electrodialysis system that transfers the by-products through ion exchange membranes under the influence of an electrical field into a waste compartment. Loss of valuable material is minimised by a patented selection and arrangement of membranes and a pH controlled operation of the process. An integrated Ni- and pH-controller allows fully automated production. A concentrated waste stream is generated continuously. The small unavoidable transport of nickel into the waste stream can be further reduced by an optional purifier. In many applications it is possible to feed back the nickel concentrate from the
Hard Chrome:
Electroless Nickel:
Functional Surfaces for Superior Wear Resistance and Friction Reduction
Automobile components exist in demanding environments where long life requires maximum wear resistance. Atotech engineers hard chromium and electroless nickel coatings to deliver superior wear performance for automotive applications. To enhance the ultimate benefit, Atotech's chemical solutions are often combined with uniquely designed equipment to provide a complete system solution to the customer's desire for quality and performance. For instance, the DynaChrome® system for plating shock absorber rods provides the manufacturer with a turn-key system that plates hard chromium to exact thickness specifications at high speed, all under closed conditions to protect workers and the environment from chemical release. Another example of Atotech's systems approach is the EDEN® - continuous Electro-Dialysis for Electroless Nickel - technology, which indefinitely extends the life of electroless nickel baths, thus giving the customer enhanced process stability and less generated nickel waste.
Modern, Economical and Ecological Hard Chrome Technology
Atotech's high efficiency hard chromium process gives piston rings, engine valves and suspension parts excellent wear performance due to its high hardness characteristics and low coefficient of friction. The basic hard chromium plating process was commercialised almost a century ago by United Chromium, a predecessor company of Atotech. Continuous inventive advances led to today's superior performance chromium deposits. Atotech's hard chrome process offers extreme wear resistance, high level of corrosion protection, and the lowest possible chromium coefficient of friction. The required surface properties can be varied over a wide range by controlled changes in electrolytic and deposition parameters.
Scientific tests and 20 years of commercial experience have demonstrated the superior performance of this process for dry friction, lubricated sliding wear applications as well as suspension system corrosion prevention.
Atotech's HEEF® hard chrome process gives piston rings, engine valves and suspension parts excellent wear performance due to its high hardness characteristics.
Why our electroless nickel coating is also described as "metallic glass"
Atotech's family of electroless nickel plating systems provides ideal wear performance for a variety of applications such as brakes, fuel systems, planetary gears, valve stems and steering components. These processes offer a high level of fl exibility to deliver just the right hardness and affinity to lubricants to reduce the wearing of highly mobile parts and to perform optimally as part of the total system of components. Our very pure nickel-phosphorus alloys are homogeneous and non crystalline in composition. Neither grain boundaries, crystallites or other surface defects are visible under an optical microscope. Because of their amorphous X-ray structure they are also described as metallic glass. Atotech electroless nickel coatings are resistant to oxidation, chemically insensitive and in certain instances can be made non-magnetic and solderable. Atotech products are not only used to produce wear resistant surfaces for a variety of auto-motive parts, they are also used to enhance tool life and overall quality for automotive manufacturing, especially in processing and stamping plants.