Chrome plating and shot peening: Why are they the "golden partners" for improving the performance of tie rod cylinders?

Home / News / Industry News / Chrome plating and shot peening: Why are they the "golden partners" for improving the performance of tie rod cylinders?

Chrome plating, as a long-standing surface treatment technology, deposits a thin layer of chromium metal on the surface of the cylinder rod to form a hard and dense protective layer. This chromium layer not only has extremely high hardness and can effectively resist external wear and reduce surface damage caused by friction; chromium also has good chemical stability and can effectively isolate the erosion of air, moisture and corrosive media, significantly Improve the corrosion resistance of the cylinder rod.

The chromium plating process involves complex electrochemical reactions, and parameters such as the composition, temperature, current density, and plating time of the electroplating solution need to be strictly controlled to ensure the best uniformity and thickness of the coating. The high-quality chrome plating layer can not only improve the overall performance of the cylinder rod, but also give it a bright luster and enhance the aesthetics of the product. The chromium layer also has good electrical and thermal conductivity, which is an added bonus for cylinder rods in certain applications.

Shot peening, as a physical strengthening technology, uses high-speed jetting of shot particles to impact the surface of the cylinder rod, causing plastic deformation of the surface material, thereby increasing surface hardness and compressive residual stress. This process can effectively seal tiny cracks on the surface, reduce stress concentration, and significantly improve the fatigue strength and wear resistance of the cylinder rod.

The effect of shot peening depends largely on the type, size, injection speed and treatment time of the shot. Reasonable shot peening parameters can ensure the ideal roughness and hardness distribution on the cylinder rod surface, while avoiding surface damage or dimensional changes caused by over-processing. It is worth noting that shot peening can not only improve the mechanical properties of the cylinder rod, but also improve its surface morphology to a certain extent and improve its coordination with seals and lubricants, thereby further extending the service life of the cylinder.

In practical applications, chromium plating and shot peening often do not exist in isolation, but work together on the cylinder rod surface according to specific needs to achieve the best performance improvement effect. The scientific principle of this combined treatment strategy is that the chromium plating layer provides a solid protective barrier for the cylinder rod, effectively resisting erosion and wear from the external environment; while shot peening further strengthens the surface of the cylinder rod, improving its hardness and Anti-fatigue properties. The two complement each other and jointly improve the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the cylinder rod, extend its service life and reduce maintenance costs.

The tie cylinder rod that is first chromium-plated has a uniform and dense chromium layer formed on its surface. This chromium layer not only has excellent protective properties, but also provides a good base for subsequent shot peening. During the shot peening process, the impact of the pellets can further compact the chromium layer, making the bonding force between it and the base material stronger. At the same time, the impact of the pellets can also form tiny pits on the surface of the chromium layer. These pits are The pit can store lubricating oil, improve the lubrication performance of the cylinder rod, and reduce friction and wear.

The combined processing strategy of chrome plating and shot peening can also significantly improve the fatigue resistance of the cylinder rod. The compressive residual stress generated during shot peening can offset the tensile stress experienced by the cylinder rod during operation, thus delaying the generation and expansion of fatigue cracks and improving the fatigue life of the cylinder rod.

In the fields of automobile manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, aerospace and other fields, tie rod cylinders are widely used and critical. Taking automobile manufacturing as an example, the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the cylinder rod are directly related to the performance and safety of key components such as the automobile braking system and steering system. Cylinder rods that use a combination of chrome plating and shot peening can not only effectively improve the durability of these components, but also reduce maintenance costs caused by failures and improve the reliability and safety of the entire vehicle.

In the field of machinery manufacturing, the performance stability of the cylinder rod is crucial to the continuous operation of the production line. The use of chrome-plated and shot-peened cylinder rods significantly extends their service life, reduces downtime caused by cylinder rod failure, and improves production efficiency and economic benefits.

The combined processing strategy of chrome plating and shot peening can also bring environmental protection and energy saving benefits. On the one hand, the high-quality chromium plating layer can reduce the friction and wear of the cylinder rod during the working process, thereby reducing energy consumption; on the other hand, the pellets produced during the shot peening process can be recycled, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.