Hard Chrome Plating for your Mining Equipment could be additional expenses; however, it will save you money in the long run. It’s not about how much is the initial quote but it is about the lifecycle cost. Hard Chrome Plating offers an economic advantage by extending your equipment’s life span compared to buying new components.
The Replacement Trap
The common challenges in the procurement of new hydraulic cylinders for mining components are the high cost, long lead times, and inventory issues. Buying new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts will give you a hard time due to stock availability and high shipment cost.
For comparison, look at the example scenario when you consider buying a large hydraulic rod on a haul truck or excavator vs hard chrome plating restoration.
Calculating the Real-World Cost-Benefit
| Metric | New Component Purchase | Hard Chrome Restoration |
| Purchase Cost | $20,000 | $6,000 |
| Estimated Life | 2 years | 3 years (Due to superior hardness) |
| Cost over 6 Years | 3 new components3 x $20,000 = $60,000 | 2 restorations 2 x $6,000 = $12,000 |
| Total Savings in 6 Years | N/A | $48,000 on one component alone. |
Hard Chroming: The Financial Advantage
The most immediate financial advantage is the substantial difference in the cost of component restoration versus component replacement. Hard Chrome Plating restoration is often cheaper than Original Equipment Manufacturer replacement.
| Financial Metric | Component Replacement (New OEM) | Hard Chrome Plating (Restoration) | Savings Advantage |
| Initial Cost | 100% of total component cost | 25% – 60% of new component cost | Immediate 40% or higher capital savings. |
| Material Usage | Consumes new raw materials (steel, alloys). | Reuses the existing high-value base metal. | Reduces raw material costs and reliance on OEM supply chains. |
| Life Cycle Cost | Must purchase a new component every time it wears out. | The same component can be stripped and re-plated multiple times (a renewable asset). | Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over the equipment’s lifespan. |
Reclaiming Worn Parts: The Operational Tally
There’s a significant time difference between reclaiming new parts and sourcing new parts. It is highly effective to repair worn hydraulic parts locally because it allows for much faster repairs compared to sourcing brand new components.
Look at the table below for comparison.
| Aspect | Reclaiming/Repairing Worn Parts | Sourcing New Parts (OEM/Aftermarket) |
| Time-to-Repair/ Source | Days to one week | Weeks to months |
| Downtime Impact | Minimal; high machine availability | Significant; high production loss |
| Cost | Significantly lower (repair/labour cost) | High (new part cost, shipping, tariffs) |
| Logistics | Simple; local transport/suppliers | Complex; international shipping, customs, global supply chain issues |
| Inventory Issues | Reduced reliance on complex inventory | Vulnerable to global inventory shortages |
Hard Chrome vs. Thermal Spray (HVOF): Chrome’s Key Advantages
Hard Chrome Plating
The Keys Advantages of Hard Chrome Plating are the following:
✓ Lower Cost-to-Performance Ratio: Hard Chrome plating is more affordable compared to thermal spray coating. Its durability can extend the components lifespan and it is way cheaper to repair it.
✓ Precision and Dimensional Restoration: Hard chrome can be applied with greater accuracy and uniformity. It is the best application when clients want to restore the components original dimensions.
✓ Rework and Repair: Hard chrome is more efficient for repairing and restoring components compared to thermal spray coatings because it can be stripped, re-ground, and replated.
✓ Coating Complex Geometries: Hard chrome plating is more effective at coating all surfaces of a component. Its electrochemical dip process makes it easier to cover all surfaces, even complex internal diameters. Unlike HVOF, it requires multiple set-ups for complex parts because only the surface which is visible to the spray head will be covered or coated.