Chrome Finish Advantages from Astor Metal Finishes

Why Choose Chrome? We break down the facts and the myths

Chrome looks fantastic. It's sleek and durable and can be useful and stylish in a number of industries. Unfortunately for poor chrome, it's been copping a bad rap for a number of years. People are passionate about protecting the environment, and rightly so. We've got some great news for the environmentally conscious among you. The metal finishing industry is changing.

Choosing chrome for your finish has all the advantages without the negatives.

Advantages of chrome plating
Traditionally, chrome has been used in the motoring and marine industries. Our Astor Superchrome website has a detailed description of some of the things we can do for your vehicle. Keep an eye on our news page too because we'll be writing about some of the technical advantages of super chroming your truck.

Below we have listed just some of the reasons you can choose chrome for any of your metal design needs.

It looks fantastic - we have four varying options, each with their own stunning and unique personality. We have some great images of our Draconis, Electra, Nashira and Superchrome finishes on our website. The four finishes are all incredibly different from one another but maintain the same advantages
Function and style - The great thing about chrome is that it has a real sense of elegance in all its forms, yet it actually lasts. You can also choose any combination of these finishes for your design.
It's incredibly durable - chrome is one of the hardest finishes available so it will last
You can use it inside and outside - the strength and durability of chrome means that you can apply it to both indoor design fixtures as well as outdoor materials. Its strength in this way is one of the reasons it's so popular in marine hardware and automotive parts.
Superchrome specifically requires NO Polishing - looking for a great looking finish that will last? Super chrome has the added advantage of requiring no polish.
Guaranteed warranty - Our Superchrome finishes actually come with a 7 year warranty

chrome plated

Myth busting
Astor Metal Finishes are proud to have engaged in several environmental initiatives over the years. In addition to our commitment to water and energy conservation, we are pleased to bust that age old myth about chrome. Those hazardous chemicals you're concerned about are just not in the picture anymore.

You've probably heard that chromium is toxic. You've probably heard that the chemicals used in electroplating are hazardous. You've probably heard the word carcinogen bandied about in regards to chrome. Consequently, you've probably decided against this sleek and durable finish. Well, you've been mistaken.

Our processes, product and materials are none of those things. Chrome finishing is actually perfectly safe, from the start to the finished product.

chrome stools

No Agents listed in the Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam convention is a multilateral treaty designed to help control and manage the importation of hazardous chemicals. As of February this year, 155 parties around the world are included in the convention. Annex III of the convention lists 47 chemicals that are known to be dangerous, toxic to either humans or the environment.

Chrome plating use NONE of the agents listed in the Annex III of the convention in the forms that are hazardous. We are proud to say that none of those toxic substances are used in either the product or the process.

chrome patterned screen

No Carcinogens
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the internal body responsible for classifying chemicals and other materials in their level of carcinogen. According to their standards, NO substances that are classified as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans are present in chrome plated materials.

In particular, the finished products and their components do NOT contain Group 1 or Group 2A carcinogenic substances as listed by IARC, other than at the levels specified in other sections of this Standard.

Final Product is safe
Our finished product and any applied coatings to those products contain either no amount or below the No Observed Adverse Effect Level of all of the following heavy metals:

Antimony
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Tin

chrome table legs

Get in touch
Now you know chrome is safe, there's nothing stopping you using chrome for your next project. Get in touch now, to get a quote for your chrome needs.