Chrome rods: specifying grade, dimensions and finish

A chrome plated rod is a steel rod finished by precision grinding, polishing and hard chrome plating. It is used for hydraulic and pneumatic piston rods and other reciprocating components where the working surface interacts with seals.

Specify the material and the working surface separately.

C45, CK45 and SAE1045 are common carbon-steel choices for conventional hydraulic piston rods. Alloy options such as 40Cr and 42CrMo4 are considered where the design has higher strength or impact requirements. Confirm the material standard and delivery condition; similar grade names do not automatically establish interchangeability.

Material selection starts with the load, rod diameter, stroke, working environment and drawing. The MYLER range also includes 304 chrome rod, but its stainless substrate and coating requirements should be confirmed individually rather than copied from a carbon-steel specification.

1. Choose the Material and Treatment

Induction hardening adds a hardened steel layer below the chrome coating. It is an option to discuss for impact, abrasive contamination or demanding reciprocating applications. State base grade, case hardness and hardening depth separately from the chrome specification.

The technical reference lists chrome-layer hardness ≥1000 HV0.1 and straightness ≤0.2 mm/m. Its coating minima are 12 / 20 / 30 for the 150 / 250 / 500 classes; its finish table lists Ra ≤0.10 and Rt ≤1.00. The source omits units for coating thickness and Ra/Rt, so those units must be confirmed before specifying an order. These are external reference data, not verified MYLER production results.

2. Define Dimensions and Machined Ends

The chrome-bar reference lists diameters of 10–160 mm with f7 tolerance. Linear shafts use h6 in a separate table. The reference gives no universal supply length. Confirm grade, dimensions, condition and finish together; catalogue ranges do not indicate MYLER stock availability.

For a machined rod, include the total length, effective stroke, threads, shoulders, holes, flats and chamfers. Cutting, turning, drilling and tapping requirements should be shown on the current drawing, together with areas that require chrome or further machining.

3. Agree Inspection and Protection

Typical inspection topics include dimensions, roughness, hardness, coating thickness, straightness and roundness. Request material composition or mechanical-property records where the application requires them. An MTC or EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate should be requested and its scope agreed before supply.

MYLER normally wraps chrome rods in paper before packing them in wooden cases. The paper helps protect the finished surface from scratches, and the wooden case adds protection against knocks during handling and transport. Include any special packing requirements with your inquiry.

Your Chrome Rod Inquiry Checklist

For a quotation, send the product and grade, diameter × length, quantity, drawing revision, tolerance, chrome thickness, roughness, machining, inspection documents and destination. Email info@chromerods.com or contact WhatsApp +86 177 6633 4294.