Bright Chrome/Trivalent Chrome

Traditional chrome finishes are hexavalent ions while dissolved in the plating bath. Trivalent chrome baths have been developed to be more environmentally friendly than hexavalent chrome. As a result, trivalent chrome is compliant with the new European RoHS/WEEE regulations. Trivalent chrome cannot be plated to the same thicknesses as hexavalent chrome, but can be applied to over 12 micro-inches thick. The new trivalent bathes are virtually indistinguishable in appearance from hexavalent chrome. Chrome is plated over bright nickel where a hard, decorative finish is desired. For many of these reasons, trivalent chrome is gaining acceptance for many applications, even in the automotive and motorcycle industries.