Q. Why does Chromium Corporation have prices higher than other chrome cylinder liner finishers?

A. Chromium Corporation is the leader in surface technology. Constant research and development and the most modern equipment as well as the hardest CRODON^® lining in the industry create not only higher prices, but greater quality, extended service life and performance. When calculating life cycle cost, Chromium's is the lowest cost with the highest value.

Q. How do you attain and measure porosity in a CRODON^® lined cylinder bore?

A. Chromium Corporation uses a mechanically induced method of attaining and measuring porosity. Mechanically induced porosity uses a controlled grit size as well as controlled speed of blasting head, spindle and table. Different porosities are administered to liners providing different finishes based on engine requirements.

The competition uses the reverse current etch process which provides a lack of uniformity as well as "channels" which will contribute to a higher lube oil consumption. Reverse current etching can also soften as much as .003" of chromium.

Q. What liners do you currently finish and/or refurbish?

A. Chromium Corporation currently plates and/or refurbishes the following liners: EMD 567, 645 and 710, GE/EB, Alco, Fairbanks, and Morse.

Q. My liners don't fit any of the models you mentioned. Can you plate, hone, or refurbish them?

A. Chromium Corporation is constantly searching for new liners and components to hone, CRODON^® line, and/or refurbish. We would like to talk to you to discuss the technical and marketing issues involved in working with your brand of liners or components.

Q. How much CRODON^® can be deposited on liners?

A. Liners currently lined by Chromium Corporation have a CRODON thickness range of .025" - .040" (.50" - .080" on the diameter).

Q. Can you plate CRODON^® on CRODON^®?

A. Yes. CRODON® can be plated on CRODON® on small bore and large bore liners using specialized proprietary methods.

Q. What is "matte finish"?

A. Matte finish is a Chromium Corporation registered process to mechanically induce a surface finish using a controlled grit blast to roughen the surface to an Ra specified by the OEM.

Q. Can chrome or stainless steel rings be used with CRODON^® liners?

A. No. They are not compatible.

Q. Is Chromium Corporation approved by any OEMs?

A. Yes

• EMD - Pattern "A"™ and SUPOR^® finishes
• GE - Smoothchrome™ finish
• ALCO - Honeychrome™ and Pattern "A"™ finishes
• FM - Modified Pattern "A"™ finish

Q. What is the hardness of your CRODON^® versus your competition?

A. Chromium Corporation: CRODON^® minimum 1000 Knoop
67-72 Rockwell C
Competition: Range from 850 - 925 Knoop
62-67 Rockwell C

Q. What causes a cylinder to peel (exfoliate)?

A. A number of factors can contribute to peeling in a cylinder including: water leaks, overheating, poor adhesion, piston seizure, broken rings or broken valves.

Q. What causes fast wear in CRODON^® liners?

A. Fast wear can be caused by any of the following reasons

Q. What causes crazing?

A. Chromium, as deposited, is generally under great stress and usually contains cracks of microscopic size. As produced, these cracks are in haphazard arrangement and vary as to number, size and depth. Open cracks are often found in the surface of the plate; there are also sealed-over cracks below the surface. From the start of deposition, a stress is created in the chrome deposit. As the plate builds up in thickness, the stress increases until it reaches the ultimate strength of the chromium deposit, which then fractures, relieving the stress and leaving a network of fine cracks. As these fine cracks heal over during the plating process, new stresses reach the breaking point and new cracks are formed. The open cracks and the healed-over cracks all play a part in porosity formation and are in no way harmful to the operation of the cylinder liners.

As a general rule, the more cracks there are per square inch of surface, the better. High crack count density translates to shallow crack depths, improved protection of the base metal, and improved resistance to abrasive wear. Chemistries that produce harder plates, like CRODON^®, tend to exhibit higher crack pattern densities than do other, softer, plating chemistries.

Q. What determines a cylinder liner to be classified as unsuitable for recycling?

A. There are a number of variables which may cause a liner to be considered unsuitable for requalification:

Q. What causes the retainer ring to crack or break?

A. Improper heating, fatigue or an overheated engine may cause the retainer ring to crack or break. In an overheated engine, the head will expand laterally, pressing against the I.D. of the retainer ring causing a fracture.

Q. What causes high oil consumption?

A. Oil consumption is a result of a number of variables:

• No porosity
• Too much porosity
• High RMS on bore surface
• Worn rings
• Broken or stuck rings
• Poor filtration
• Application of new rings to a worn, glazed bore surface
• Worn brass firing ring under the cylinder head
• Oil leaks on engines
• Oil leaks at turbo and/or blowers on engines so equipped
• Worn cylinder liners
• Clogged oil separator screen
• Improper grade of oil
• Clogged oil drain holes under piston oil control rings
• Oil control rings chipped or installed upside down
• Improper tension on oil control rings
• Washboard effect on the liner bore

For more information on Chromium Corporation, our products and/or services, please visit the "Contact Us" section of the web site.