Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome – Dark Metallic Chrome Plating
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Product information "Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome – Dark Metallic Chrome Plating"
Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome Plating Solution BMG-108.3 – Dark Metallic Chrome Finish
Professional Smoky Chrome Electrolyte for Black Chrome Plating
The Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome Plating Solution BMG-108.3 from Betzmann Galvanik is a professional electroplating electrolyte designed to produce a dark, metallic chrome finish.
Depending on the substrate, surface preparation and plating parameters, the resulting finish can range from dark grey and anthracite to a deep smoky black metallic appearance.
Smoky Chrome is particularly suitable for applications where a high-quality dark metallic finish is required and can provide an interesting alternative to conventional black rhodium or black ruthenium finishes.
Typical applications include jewellery, watches, automotive parts, design objects, electronics housings, fittings and high-quality metal components.
What Is Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome?
Smoky Chrome is a galvanically deposited dark chrome coating with a metallic appearance.
The final colour and gloss level depend strongly on the surface preparation and the underlying coating.
Depending on the process, the appearance can range from:
Dark Grey → Anthracite → Smoky Black → Deep Black
The best results are generally achieved on smooth, polished nickel, copper or gold surfaces and other suitable conductive substrates.
Because the coating is very thin, it follows the existing surface structure very closely.
The better the underlying surface is polished and prepared, the better the final Smoky Chrome finish will look.
Ideal for Jewellery, Watches, Automotive Parts and Design Objects
Smoky Chrome is particularly attractive wherever a premium dark metallic appearance is required.
Typical applications include:
Jewellery and jewellery components
Watches and watch components
Automotive trim
Automotive components
Door handles and fittings
Bathroom fittings and accessories
Electronics housings
Mobile phone housings
Luxury and design products
Metal accessories
Decorative metal objects
Model making
Special components
Restoration
High-quality metal parts
The coating is especially interesting for frequently handled components where a hard, durable and visually distinctive surface is desired.
Smoky Chrome as an Alternative to Black Rhodium and Black Ruthenium
When a dark metallic finish is required, black rhodium and black ruthenium are commonly considered.
Smoky Chrome provides another option:
Dark to black metallic appearance
Characteristic chrome finish
High surface hardness
Very thin electroplated coating
Suitable for decorative applications
Metallic rather than painted appearance
This makes Smoky Chrome particularly attractive for customers looking for a premium black metallic surface.
Suitable Substrates and Undercoats
The final appearance and quality of the black chrome coating depend heavily on the underlying surface.
Suitable substrates or intermediate coatings can include:
Nickel coatings
Copper coatings
Gold coatings
Gold flash coatings
Other suitable conductive surfaces
For a high-quality decorative finish, a smooth, polished nickel or gold intermediate layer is recommended.
For example, brass components can first be provided with a suitable nickel or white bronze intermediate layer before applying the Smoky Chrome coating.
Perfect Surface = Perfect Smoky Chrome Finish
Smoky Chrome is not a coating designed to hide poor surface preparation.
Quite the opposite:
The coating reproduces the underlying surface structure very clearly.
We therefore recommend the following preparation:
Mechanically finish and polish the surface
Completely remove polishing residues
Thoroughly degrease the workpiece
Activate the surface
Rinse thoroughly
Apply the Smoky Chrome coating without unnecessary delay
Grease, oxides and other contamination can significantly affect the quality and adhesion of the coating.
Activation Before Smoky Chrome Plating
Thorough activation is particularly important for sensitive or noble-metal substrates.
For suitable gold surfaces, for example, activation with 10% sulfuric acid can be used. The Betzmann Galvanik Smoky Chrome instructions specify activation of gold surfaces with 10% sulfuric acid for approximately 1–2 minutes, followed by thorough rinsing.
The exact pretreatment must always be adapted to the particular base material and existing intermediate coating.
Suitable for Bath, Pen and Tampon Plating
The Smoky Chrome BMG-108.3 electrolyte can be used for different electroplating techniques, depending on the equipment and application.
Bath Plating
Ideal for:
Jewellery
Fittings
Automotive components
Design objects
Multiple workpieces
Pen Plating
Particularly useful for:
Repair plating
Localised coating
Corrections
Small areas
Difficult-to-reach areas
Tampon Plating
Particularly suitable for:
Local repairs
Partial surfaces
Large individual components
Mobile electroplating
On-site finishing and repair work
Recommended Electrode
For the Smoky Chrome process, we recommend:
✔ Carbon / Graphite
✔ Platinum
Carbon or graphite electrodes are an economical and practical solution for everyday applications.
Platinum electrodes offer excellent chemical resistance and can be used at the upper end of the recommended voltage range.
Stainless steel anodes are not recommended for this process.
Technical Specifications – Smoky Chrome BMG-108.3
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product | Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome |
| Article Number | BMG-108.3 |
| Process | Electroplated Black Chrome |
| Voltage | 9–11 V |
| Typical voltage with carbon | approx. 10 V |
| Voltage with platinum | up to approx. 11 V |
| Temperature | 20–30 °C |
| Recommended electrode | Carbon/Graphite or Platinum |
| Brightness L* | approx. 65–70% |
| Chromium content of coating | approx. 99% |
| Remaining component | Carbon |
| Deposition rate at 10 V / graphite | approx. 2 µm/min (point plating) |
| Maximum coating thickness | approx. 3 µm |
| Hardness as deposited | approx. 800 HV |
| Hardness after heat treatment | approx. 1,500–1,600 HV |
| Coating density | approx. 7.2 g/cm³ |
| Storage life | approx. 1–2 years |
High-Hardness Black Chrome Coating
One of the key advantages of the Smoky Chrome system is the high hardness of the deposited coating.
The freshly deposited coating reaches approximately:
800 HV
With suitable heat treatment at approximately 220 °C, the hardness can increase to approximately:
1,500–1,600 HV
This makes Smoky Chrome particularly interesting for decorative components that are regularly handled or exposed to mechanical wear.
Thin, High-Quality Coating
The black chrome coating is very thin, with a maximum thickness of approximately 3 µm.
With point plating at 10 V using a carbon/graphite electrode, a deposition rate of approximately 2 µm per minute can be achieved.
Actual plating time depends on the workpiece, current distribution, electrode movement, surface condition and plating method.
Operating Temperature and Voltage
The recommended operating temperature is approximately:
20–30 °C
The typical operating voltage range is:
9–11 V
With a carbon/graphite electrode, approximately 10 V is typically used.
When using a platinum electrode, the voltage can be increased to approximately 11 V.
Optional Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is optional and is not necessary for every application.
Where increased mechanical hardness is required, the finished Smoky Chrome coating can be heat-treated at approximately:
220 °C
This can increase the hardness from approximately 800 HV to 1,500–1,600 HV.
Smoky Chrome – Premium Black Metallic Finish
Unlike paint or powder coating, Smoky Chrome produces a true electroplated metallic surface.
The result can provide:
✔ Dark grey to deep black appearance
✔ Metallic finish
✔ Premium anthracite appearance
✔ Very thin coating
✔ High hardness
✔ Excellent decorative appearance
✔ Suitable for frequently handled components
Important: Decorative Final Coating
Smoky Chrome is primarily intended as a decorative final coating.
It should therefore not be marketed as a standalone corrosion-protection system. Corrosion resistance depends on the substrate, intermediate layers, coating quality, thickness and the complete coating system.
For high-quality decorative applications, the correct undercoat and surface preparation are therefore essential.
Safety Information
Electroplating chemicals must be handled using appropriate safety precautions.
When working with the electrolyte:
Wear suitable protective gloves
Wear safety glasses or face protection
Use suitable protective clothing
Avoid skin and eye contact
Ensure adequate ventilation
Do not inhale aerosols, mist or vapours
Read the current Safety Data Sheet before use
Dispose of electrolyte residues according to applicable regulations
Always follow the current product label and Safety Data Sheet.
Betzmann Galvanik – Professional Smoky Chrome Plating
With the Smoky Chrome / Black Chrome Electrolyte BMG-108.3, Betzmann Galvanik provides a professional solution for users looking to create a premium dark, metallic chrome finish.
Whether for jewellery, watches, automotive components, design objects, electronics, fittings or special metal parts, Smoky Chrome opens up numerous possibilities for creating a distinctive black metallic appearance.
Product Advantages at a Glance
✔ Dark to deep-black metallic finish
✔ Premium anthracite / Smoky Chrome appearance
✔ Suitable for bath, pen and tampon plating
✔ Carbon/graphite or platinum electrode
✔ 9–11 V operating range
✔ 20–30 °C operating temperature
✔ Approx. 800 HV as deposited
✔ Up to approx. 1,500–1,600 HV after heat treatment
✔ Very thin coating up to approx. 3 µm
✔ Ideal for jewellery, watches, automotive, electronics and design
✔ Professional electroplating quality from Betzmann Galvanik
Betzmann Galvanik – professional electrolytes, electroplating equipment, electrodes and accessories for high-quality surface finishing.
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Hazard statement(s)
H360FD May damage fertility. May damage unborn child.
Precautionary statement(s)
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P280 Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection.
P308 + P313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/ attention.
P501 Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant.