Lincoln Industries

Corrosion is a failure mode of almost all metal. Every company’s goal is to increase the corrosion resistance of their metal products so overall product life can be extended and warranty claims are minimized.

A manufacturer of hydraulic cylinder rods had a corrosion challenge that we helped them address. Its rods were exposed to outdoor elements for extended periods of time. In addition, the corrosive fertilizers used in agriculture where its products were used also accelerated the rate of corrosion. Standard hard chrome offered some corrosion protection but the manufacturer was looking for a process that offered increased protection.

An added challenge with the cylinder rods were the tight tolerances required for the rods to work in their customer’s equipment. Improper polishing and plating could result in rods that were out of tolerance.

Lincoln Industries reviewed the current finish and identified a solution that could provide increased corrosion protection. In addition to the finishing solution, Lincoln Industries also developed surface preparation equipment and a proprietary process to ensure critical dimensions were met.

In conjunction with the customer, Lincoln Industries co-developed a process for extended corrosion and wear resistance on these high-performance cylinder rods. Using sulfamate nickel hard chrome, specialized polishing equipment and unique racks and shields, Lincoln Industries was able to provide a solution which increased the overall life of the hydraulic cylinder rods.
Working with the customer and taking a look at a challenge from a new perspective is one reason why customers choose Lincoln Industries to solve their problems.