Printing / foil industry

Hard chrome from matt to mirror finish

Various surface qualities are required in the printing and foil industries. Rough matte chrome surfaces have an optimal grip, which improves the conveyability of feed rolls. If, on the other hand, a high-gloss surface is desired, we process the hard chrome surface up to mirror finish. In general, the hard chrome layer is characterized by its anti-adhesive properties, which prevent “sticking” or “caking” on the rollers.

The optimum surface quality


Matte hard chrome

In order to achieve a structured surface, the workpieces are blasted before the coating process. Blasting creates the specified peak-to-valley height. After the surface finishing, the components have a structured hard chrome layer and stand out visually through a matt surface. Via the defined peak-to-valley height the grip of feed rollers can be controlled for example. Learn more about our blasting process.

Mirror finish

With the Superfinishing procedure, a surface quality up to mirror finish can be created. Very fine Finish tapes (up to 3 µm) are used for this purpose. Mirror finish is required if the use of the component requires an absolutely homogeneous, clean and smooth surface. Learn more about the superfinishing process.

Betz-Chrom acts in accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH) of 18 December 2006 as the holder of an authorisation for the use of chromium trioxide. You can find more detailed information on REACH, our authorisation and our activities for alternative research under FAQ on REACH.

Blasted hard chrome plated rolls with different surface finishes

Properties of the hard chrome layer:

  • Layer thickness: 0.003 to 0.500 mm
  • Hardness: > 850 HV 0.1
  • Roughness: Rmax < 0.1 μm to Rz 70 μm
  • lead and cadmium free (RoHS compliant)

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Component examples for hard chrome plating


Examples from the foil industry

Mirror rollers, mirror screws, engraved rollers, spiral mandrel distributors, embossing rollers, heating and cooling rollers, drive rollers, nozzles and mandrels

Examples from the printing industry

Printing and plate cylinders, dampening distribution cylinders, duct rollers, metering rollers, feed rollers

Learn more about our hard chrome processes.

Hard chrome plated roller ground or polished to mirror finish

Dimensions of your components:

  • Vertical chrome plating: ⌀ 1300 x 4700 mm or 8000 mm on envelope
  • Horizontal chrome plating: ⌀ 60 x 6500 mm
  • Shapes: 1700 x 1500 x 1300 mm
  • Weight: 5000 kg

Our core processes


Steel plate chemically nickel-plated on all sides

Electroless nickel

For hardness, wear resistance and very high corrosion protection with even layer thickness distribution.

Screw tip hard chrome plated on all sides

Hard chrome

For corrosion protection, tribological properties and a particularly high wear resistance against mechanical stress.

Piston in CNC grinding machine at Betz-Chrom

Precision grinding

For dimensional accuracy, roughness depth and bearing ratio depending on the requested surface quality.

Betz-Chrom – your partner for strong parts

Betz-Chrom combines 75 years’ experience in surface technology with an innovative corporate culture. From coating to mechanical machining, we pool our expertise to meet your requirements – even for large and complex component geometries. We provide personalised advice, process your components with the utmost care and continuously refine our processes.

Our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001 and, in the field of hard chrome plating, additionally to EN 9100 for the aerospace industry. Our certified management systems for the environment ISO 14001 and energy ISO 50001 ensure the responsible use of resources. Safe working conditions and the protection of our employees' health are an integral part of everything we do.