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Chrome Plating on Plastic

Plating & metallizing on plastics · Electrolytic bath

Plastic chrome is a Cu-Ni-Cr decorative plating stack on plating-grade ABS or PC-ABS.

Injection moldingHigh cost $$$$Conductive
Quote a part with Plastic chromeCompare plating & metallizing on plastics
Chrome Plating on Plastic on a machined part

What is Plastic chrome?

Chemical etching and electroless metallization make the polymer conductive before electrolytic copper, nickel, and chromium build a 20–50 µm finish.

How it works

The moulded part is cleaned and chemically etched, traditionally exposing rubber domains in plating-grade ABS. Catalytic activation starts an electroless copper or nickel layer, making the surface conductive. Electrolytic copper levels the surface, nickel supplies most corrosion and appearance performance, and a thin chromium top layer provides colour and tarnish resistance. Geometry must drain and carry current uniformly.

Why specify it

  • True Cu-Ni-Cr metallic appearance
  • 20–50 µm durable stack
  • Better handling durability than evaporated metal
  • Premium automotive and sanitary finish

Where it falls short

  • Restricted to plating-grade polymers
  • Environmental controls for etch and chromium chemistry
  • Racking marks and current-density variation
  • Thick stack changes fits

Plastic chrome at a glance

Plastic chrome is strongest on corrosion protection (72 of 100), surface hardness (71 of 100) and cosmetic quality (98 of 100), at a high cost.

Corrosion protectionVery good72 / 100
Surface hardnessVery good71 / 100
Cosmetic qualityExcellent98 / 100
LubricityFair42 / 100
Relative costHigh80 / 100
CorrosionHardnessCosmeticLubricityEconomy

Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion comes from salt-spray life (ASTM B117, log scale) and hardness from the finish layer's Vickers or pencil hardness; cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Economy on the radar is the inverse of cost.

Plastic chrome key numbers

Typical values from the governing specifications and shop practice; bars are this finish against the highest value among plating & metallizing on plastics finishes.

Thickness20–50 µm0.79–2 mil
Hardness700–1,000 HV
Max service temp.90 °C194 °F
Thickness
20–40 µm total Cu-Ni-Cr stack
Hardness
700–1,000 HV — Thin chromium top layer; system durability also depends on nickel and polymer support.
Electrical
Conductive
Colours
  • bright chrome
  • satin chrome
  • dark chrome
Appearance
Bright mirror or satin metallic chrome according to mould finish and nickel layer.

Where Plastic chrome sits among all finishes

Surface hardness (Vickers, log scale) against corrosion protection (salt-spray hours, log scale) for every coating FabDigit offers, one cloud per finish group. Plastic chrome is highlighted; hover a dot for its name or open the full map.

02550751000255075100Corrosion protection (0–100)Surface hardness (HV, log scale, 0–100)Plating — 19 finishesHard coatings — 17 finishesAnodize & conversion — 8 finishesPaint & powder — 7 finisheshard, low corrosion protectionhard and protectiveprotective, softsoft, little protectionType II anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 54BSA anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 52Type I anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 49Hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61PTFE hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61Nitriding — corrosion 55, hardness 73PEO — corrosion 70, hardness 74Sherardizing — corrosion 83, hardness 56Brass plate — corrosion 35, hardness 44Bronze plate — corrosion 40, hardness 49Cadmium plate — corrosion 70, hardness 26Copper plate — corrosion 32, hardness 39Decorative chrome — corrosion 64, hardness 71Electroless copper — corrosion 20, hardness 41Electroless nickel — corrosion 70, hardness 68Nickel plate — corrosion 51, hardness 55Gold plate — corrosion 68, hardness 39Hard chrome — corrosion 40, hardness 73Hot-dip zinc — corrosion 90, hardness 42Nickel-PTFE — corrosion 72, hardness 57Silver plate — corrosion 55, hardness 39Solder plate — corrosion 42, hardness 9Tin plate — corrosion 34, hardness 0Zinc plate — corrosion 60, hardness 30Zinc-nickel — corrosion 86, hardness 60Cerakote — corrosion 83, hardness 27E-coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Epoxy coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Powder coat — corrosion 83, hardness 14Wet paint — corrosion 59, hardness 10AlCrN PVD — corrosion 58, hardness 93AlTiN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 94CrN PVD — corrosion 62, hardness 83DLC — corrosion 55, hardness 93MoS2 PVD — corrosion 20, hardness 26TiAlN PVD — corrosion 50, hardness 93TiCN PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 92TiB2 PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 94TiN PVD — corrosion 45, hardness 87WC/C PVD — corrosion 48, hardness 77ZrN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 90CVD alumina — corrosion 70, hardness 85CVD TiCN — corrosion 38, hardness 92CVD TiN — corrosion 45, hardness 87Multilayer CVD — corrosion 62, hardness 88HVOF coating — corrosion 78, hardness 77Plasma spray — corrosion 60, hardness 68Electroless plastic — corrosion 58, hardness 39Clear coat — corrosion 20, hardness 12Soft-touch — corrosion 20, hardness 5PLATINGHARD COATINGSANODIZE & CONVERSIONPAINT & POWDERElectroless plasticType II anodizePowder coatZinc plateZinc-nickelHard chromeDLCTiN PVDTin plateCadmium plateE-coatCerakoteWet paintHot-dip zincNitridingHVOF coatingPlastic chrome — corrosion 72, hardness 71Plastic chrome
02550751000255075100Corrosion protection (0–100)Surface hardness (HV, log scale, 0–100)Plating — 19 finishesHard coatings — 17 finishesAnodize & conversion — 8 finishesPaint & powder — 7 finishesType II anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 54BSA anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 52Type I anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 49Hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61PTFE hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61Nitriding — corrosion 55, hardness 73PEO — corrosion 70, hardness 74Sherardizing — corrosion 83, hardness 56Brass plate — corrosion 35, hardness 44Bronze plate — corrosion 40, hardness 49Cadmium plate — corrosion 70, hardness 26Copper plate — corrosion 32, hardness 39Decorative chrome — corrosion 64, hardness 71Electroless copper — corrosion 20, hardness 41Electroless nickel — corrosion 70, hardness 68Nickel plate — corrosion 51, hardness 55Gold plate — corrosion 68, hardness 39Hard chrome — corrosion 40, hardness 73Hot-dip zinc — corrosion 90, hardness 42Nickel-PTFE — corrosion 72, hardness 57Silver plate — corrosion 55, hardness 39Solder plate — corrosion 42, hardness 9Tin plate — corrosion 34, hardness 0Zinc plate — corrosion 60, hardness 30Zinc-nickel — corrosion 86, hardness 60Cerakote — corrosion 83, hardness 27E-coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Epoxy coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Powder coat — corrosion 83, hardness 14Wet paint — corrosion 59, hardness 10AlCrN PVD — corrosion 58, hardness 93AlTiN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 94CrN PVD — corrosion 62, hardness 83DLC — corrosion 55, hardness 93MoS2 PVD — corrosion 20, hardness 26TiAlN PVD — corrosion 50, hardness 93TiCN PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 92TiB2 PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 94TiN PVD — corrosion 45, hardness 87WC/C PVD — corrosion 48, hardness 77ZrN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 90CVD alumina — corrosion 70, hardness 85CVD TiCN — corrosion 38, hardness 92CVD TiN — corrosion 45, hardness 87Multilayer CVD — corrosion 62, hardness 88HVOF coating — corrosion 78, hardness 77Plasma spray — corrosion 60, hardness 68Electroless plastic — corrosion 58, hardness 39Clear coat — corrosion 20, hardness 12Soft-touch — corrosion 20, hardness 5PLATINGHARD COATINGSANODIZE & CONVERSIONPAINT & POWDERElectroless plasticPowder coatZinc platePlastic chrome — corrosion 72, hardness 71Plastic chrome
Anodize & conversionPlatingPaint & powderHard coatings

Specifications for Plastic chrome

The documents a drawing cites to define this finish, with the Type / Class rows that apply. Each links to a page explaining the standard.

Drawing call-out

PLATE VISIBLE SURFACES OF PLATING-GRADE ABS WITH Cu-Ni-Cr, 25–40 µm TOTAL THICKNESS, BRIGHT CHROME; MASK SNAP FITS AND ULTRASONIC-WELD JOINTS; RACK MARKS PERMITTED ON HIDDEN B-SURFACE

Which materials take Plastic chrome?

Verdict per material family, with the grades that behave differently. Each family links to its datasheets in the material library.

Material familyVerdictNotes
Polymer
YesUse plating-grade ABS or a qualified PC-ABS.
  • Resin grade and mould-release package affect adhesion
FDM
LimitedPrinted porosity and layer adhesion require specialist filling; not a drop-in for moulded ABS.
Aluminum
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not bulk aluminum.
Brass
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not brass.
Copper Alloy
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not copper alloys.
DMLS / SLM
NoMetal AM uses conventional metal plating, not plastic chrome.
Magnesium Alloy
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not magnesium.
MJF
NoPorous nylon does not take a production Cu-Ni-Cr etch line.
SLA
NoStandard ABS etch-and-plate lines do not accept ordinary SLA photopolymer; use vacuum metallization instead.
SLS
NoPorous nylon does not take a production Cu-Ni-Cr etch line.
Stainless Steel
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not stainless steel.
Steel
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not steel.
Titanium
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not titanium.
Zinc Alloy
NoThis process is specified for polymers, not zinc alloys.

How Plastic chrome is applied, and what it does to the part

  1. 1Mould plating-grade ABS or PC-ABS
  2. 2Clean and etch
  3. 3Activate
  4. 4Electroless Ni or Cu
  5. 5Electrolytic Cu
  6. 6Nickel plate
  7. 7Chromium plate
  8. 8Inspect
DimensionsA 20–50 µm stack per side can close snaps and gaps; mould dimensions and assembly clearances must include plating.
Build-up per side20–50 µm — Allow the total stack on every plated side.
MaskingUsually needed. Mask snap fits, weld joints, threads, contacts, and rack-sensitive cosmetic zones.
ElectricalConductive
Temperature limit90 °C (194 °F) continuous
AppearanceBright mirror or satin metallic chrome according to mould finish and nickel layer.
Added lead time10–20 working days on top of the bare part

Design rules for Plastic chrome

What to decide on the drawing before the part goes to the finisher.

  1. Specify plating-grade ABS or PC-ABS.Ordinary resin may not etch and adhere consistently.
  2. Avoid deep blind recesses.Etching, rinsing, and current distribution become uneven.
  3. Provide a hidden rack location.Electrical contact leaves a visible mark.
  4. Add 20–50 µm per plated side to fit analysis.This stack is dimensionally significant.

Plastic chrome versus the alternatives

Finishes engineers weigh against Plastic chrome, and when each wins.

FinishCorrosionHardnessCosmeticCostThicknessChoose it when
Plastic chrome
this page
727198$$$$20–50 µm—
Vacuum Metallization
Plastic chrome vs Vacuum Metallization →
45—94$$$$0.05–1 µmlower mass and cost matter more than thick metallic durability
Electroless Plating on Plastic
Plastic chrome vs Electroless Plating on Plastic →
583960$$$$5–15 µmconductivity rather than chrome appearance is primary
CorrosionHardnessCosmeticLubricityEconomy
Plastic chromeVacuum Metallization

The radar overlays Plastic chrome with Vacuum Metallization, its most common alternative — chosen lower mass and cost matter more than thick metallic durability. Scores in the table are 0–100 across every finish in the catalog.

Cost, lead time and compliance

Relative cost

Chrome Plating on Plastic is a high-cost finish ($$$$): more expensive than about 86 % of the finishes FabDigit quotes.

Finishing is priced per part with a lot minimum, from FabDigit's own China-side rates. The exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.

Lead time and compliance

Added lead time10–20 working days
RoHSCompliant
NotesRoHS-compliant final systems are available; etching and chromium chemistry require tightly controlled wastewater and worker exposure.

What Plastic chrome is used for

  • Automotive grilles
  • Faucet handles
  • Appliance knobs
  • Decorative badges

Plastic chrome — frequently asked

How is plastic chrome plating done?

ABS or PC-ABS is etched, activated, and coated with electroless nickel or copper. Electrolytic copper, nickel, and chromium then build a typical 20–50 µm stack.

What plastics can be chrome plated?

Plating-grade ABS is the standard, and qualified PC-ABS grades are common. Other polymers require specialized pretreatment and are not drop-in substitutes.

How thick is chrome plating on plastic?

The complete Cu-Ni-Cr stack is commonly 20–50 µm. Chromium itself is only the thin outer layer.

Plastic chrome vs vacuum metallization: which lasts longer?

Cu-Ni-Cr plastic plating is thicker and generally more handling-resistant. Vacuum metallization uses a submicrometre metal film protected mainly by clear coat.

Does plastic chrome change dimensions?

Yes; 30 µm per side adds 60 µm across a plated diameter. Snap fits and mating gaps must be designed around the stack.