Mining equipment takes a beating as it bores through rock and minerals. To ensure you maximize the lifespan of your chrome-plated equipment, you’ll need to stay on top of maintenance. Use the following care tips and partner with a reliable plating shop to ensure the best results.

How to Care for Chrome-Plated Mining Equipment

1. Inspect Before & After Every Use

Hydraulic cylinder rods, tanks, impellers, grates, and many other parts in mining equipment are chrome plated. They’re exposed to hard aggregates and slurries every day that can cause long-term damage or require a trip to the machine shop.

To stay ahead of problems, inspect your parts before and after every use. Look for marring, corrosion, or flaking, so machinists can refinish the chrome plating if needed. Catching damage early will ensure you handle repairs right away before they become more significant problems.

2. Maintain Coatings

Chrome plating prevents chemical damage and corrosion due to moisture exposure, both of which can damage the metal parts underneath. Plating shops apply this layer of the plating to any component that is exposed to chemicals, rock particles, and substrates for strength and protection. Recessed areas and parts that touch are often the first to wear out, so you will need to inspect and re-plate them more frequently.

3. Clean

Wear-resistant coatings will inevitably break down if chemicals, iron oxide, and other substances are allowed to sit for long periods, so clean your chrome-plated mining equipment after every use. Blast debris with a high-powered hose. Look for dirt buildup or aggregate on the tracking of moving parts and gears, so nothing wears down crucial components.

If you need assistance with your chrome-plated mining equipment and other products, the specialists at R. A. Heller Co. can help. This machine shop has served Cincinnati, OH, since 1946. They take an eco-friendly approach to hard chrome-plating, precision grinding, and machining services, which you can learn about on their website. Call (513) 771-6100 to speak with a shop representative.