Process	Chromating
	Mainly used for corrosion protection especially of zinc electroplated steel parts, but also directly on steel, aluminium and manganese. Decoration is possible thanks to the many colour variants (blue, yellow, olive, black, transparent). The blue version is the cheapest, but the thinnest and gives the least corrosion protection. Yellow, black and olive are a little more expensive but thicker (better protection). Black and olive have also optical advantages (no reflection). The conversion of the metal surface into a surface containing a mixture of chromium compounds is generally performed by dipping, but also by spraying or brushing. Typical thickness is less than one micron (nanometer field).
Danish Name	Kromatering
Category	Surface processes, Plating
Materials	Substrates: Zinc (steel electroplated parts) Steel Aluminium Manganese Chromium (coating)
Typical products	Cover
Competing processes	Phosphating
References	Alumatic A/S Arbeitsgemeinschaft - Galvanotechnik Blasberg Oberflächentechnik GmbH Galvanisk Kompagni Holzapfel Metallveredelung GmbH
Price notes	The main application (and almost the only) for chromating is as last step for zinc plating of steel parts. Being the cost of this step very low, it is negligible compared to that of zinc plating (see zinc plating), and consequently that of the part.
Price date	March 1997
Environmen- tal notes	Use: Chromate increases seriuosly the risk of skin cancer.
Photo	Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
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