High-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF)-applied thermal spray coatings are viable candidates for replacement of hard chrome in numerous applications. HVOF thermal spraying can be used to deposit both metal alloy and cermet coatings that are dense and highly adherent to all the commonly used base metals in airframe structures. This article summarizes the results of materials and component testing. It also presents a cost/benefit analysis of HVOF WC/17Co and WC/10Co4Cr coatings on aircraft landing gear components.

Hard chromium plating is produced by electrodeposition from a solution containing chromic acid and a catalytic anion in proper proportion. This article presents the major uses of hard chromium plating, and focuses on the selection factors, plating solutions, solution and process control, equipment, surface preparation, and crack patterns and other characteristics of hard chromium plating. It offers recommendations for the design and use of plating racks, describes the problems encountered in hard chromium plating, and their corrective procedures. The article provides information on the removal of chromium plate from coated metals, recovery and disposal of wastes, and stopoff media for selective plating.

This article focuses on alternatives to chromium in both hard chromium plating and chromate conversion coating. These include electroless nickel plating, nickel-tungsten composite electroplating, spray coating applications, and cobalt/molybdenum-base conversion coating. The article discusses the material and process substitutions that can be used to eliminate the use or emissions of chromium in industrial processes. It describes the physical characteristics of each coating, economics, environmental impacts, advantages, and disadvantages of alternative processes.