7 - 6 Issued: May 2002
MACHINE STORAGE
CHROME CYLINDER ROD STORAGE
Hard chrome plating is primarily applied to steel
cylinder rods for its wear resistant properties, al-
though it does provide considerable corrosion re-
sistance as well. Once the chrome-plated rod is
assembled into a cylinder and put into service,
the hydraulic fluid on the surface of the rod pro-
vides all the corrosion resistance required for the
rod during its life cycle. As a cylinder cycles, hy-
draulic fluid is driven into any surface cracks
that exist in the chrome plate. When these
cracks are filled with hydraulic fluid, moisture or
corrosive fluids can not penetrate the cracks.
However, some machining and cleaning opera-
tions can negatively impact the future corrosion
resistance of chrome-plated shafting. For exam-
ple, additives such as chlorine, sulfur, and sodi-
um found in Extreme Pressure (EP) coolants and
some washing solutions are known rust acceler-
ates and can strip chrome plating from the base
metal. Cleaning processes, such as phosphate
washing are also known to be detrimental to the
corrosion resistance of hard chrome plated
shafting.
If the rod is not periodically cycled and is subject
to a corrosive environment, moisture and oxygen
can work its way down through the chrome layer
and begin to corrode the base metal. Brand new
equipment may be stored outside for a consider-
able period of time at the equipment dealership
before it is sold. During these times, a protective
barrier must be applied to the exposed cylinder
rod. This protective barrier will preserve the in-
tegrity of the chrome plating by preventing the
elements of corrosion from getting to the metal
substrate.
Cylinders should be stored in the retracted posi-
tion, if at all possible. The steps outline below
cover the procedures to be followed for
protect-
ing New Equipment
from corrosion if it must be
stored in the extended position:
1. Position the equipment as it will be stored
and identify all the exposed portions of the
chrome plated cylinder rods.
2. Clean any dirt and dust from the exposed
portions of the cylinder rods using a dry
cloth or a cloth which has been dampened
with an appropriate solvent. Do not use
caustics or acids.
3. Apply a thin coating of
“Ferro-Kote 5856-BF”
to the exposed surfaces of the chrome plated
cylinder rods. The ferro-Cote may be
thinned using a 40% Kerosene or no. 1 fuel
oil mixture.
4. Inspect the cylinder rod surfaces and reapply
at three to six month intervals.
5. If the equipment is to be moved and then
stored again for an extended period of time
or if the cylinder is cycled, steps 1 thru 4
should be repeated for all cylinder rods that
were exposed.
*Ferro-Kote 5856-BF is a product of Quaker
Chemical Company, Conshohocken, PA
19428
For the
protection of Older Equipment
that is to
be stored, the procedure outlined above can be
used, but greater attention to cleaning the ex-
posed portions of each cylinder rod is required.
Solvent applied with plastic or copper wool can
be used, but
abrasives such as sandpaper
should never be used
to clean the exposed sur-
faces of the cylinder rod. If surface damage to
the chrome plate is discovered, the frequency of
corrosion barrier applications should be in-
creased.
Note: Caution must be used when cleaning
equipment in service with high pressure
washes. Soaps or chemicals containing
chlorines or other corrosive elements
should be avoided. Cylinders should be
cleaned in a retracted position as not to
expose rods to the chemicals. Cylinders
should be cycled immediately following
the wash. If rods are to be stored in the
extended position, refer to steps 1-4
above.
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