Van Leeuwen Wheeler has expanded its offering for the fluid power industry with the addition of NiKrom 350bar to its product ranges. NiKrom is designed for the manufacture of piston rods within hydraulic cylinders for use in critical or highly corrosive applications. In addition to the normal 20 microns of chrome plating NikRom has a 30 micron nickel underlay to provide corrosion resistance. It carries a 350 guarantee in the acetic salt spray test, the equivalent of 1000 hours in the neutral salt spray test. Typical applications include corrosive environments such as marine and offshore, chemical plant and agricultural chemicals. Nikrom is suitable for piston rods exposed for long periods of time in the extended position and use in mildly corrosive or dirty environments such as quarries and mines. Other applications include power generation, including nuclear, hydro and wind, where there is a requirement for maintenance-free cylinders with a long service life.
