UK Manufactured Chrome Plating Anodes — Tin/Lead & Antimonial Lead Alloys
Heaps, Arnold & Heaps Ltd manufactures chrome plating anodes at our Rotherham facility for hard chrome and decorative chrome plating processes across the UK and international electroplating industry. With over 250 years of lead alloy expertise — established 1770 — we cast anodes in 7% tin / 93% lead and 6% antimony / 94% lead alloys as standard, with other tin, lead, antimony and silver compositions available to customer process specification.
Our anodes are supplied in round sections from 12mm up to 50mm, plus corrugated, rigid, tubular, waffle and grid profiles, with copper hook, copper tab, copper core or steel core connection options to suit the customer’s tank configuration and current density requirement.
Why Choose Heaps, Arnold & Heaps Chrome Plating Anodes?
- UK manufactured at our Rotherham facility — full traceability
- Standard tin/lead and antimonial lead alloys in stock
- Custom alloy compositions cast to process specification
- Six standard anode geometries — round, corrugated, rigid, tubular, waffle, grid
- Four connection options — copper hook, copper tab, copper core, steel core
- Bespoke anodes cast to drawing for non-standard tank configurations
- Worldwide export — supplying plating shops internationally
- Over 250 years of lead alloy expertise — established 1770
Chrome Plating Anode Alloys
The choice of anode alloy directly affects plating bath performance, anode dissolution rate, contamination behaviour and finish quality. We cast the two standard chrome plating anode compositions, plus custom alloys to customer specification.
7% Tin / 93% Lead Alloy
The traditional and most widely specified chrome plating anode composition, suited to both hard and decorative chrome processes. The tin content reduces lead chromate (PbCrO₄) film formation at the anode surface, maintaining stable current flow and consistent plating performance over the anode lifespan.
- Standard composition for decorative chrome plating
- Suitable for most hard chrome processes
- Stable performance across a wide current density range
- Predictable dissolution rate for production planning
6% Antimony / 94% Lead Alloy
An antimonial lead anode composition specified by some plating houses for hard chrome processes where additional anode hardness and dimensional stability are required. The antimony content increases mechanical strength, reducing anode bowing in tall plating tanks.
- Increased mechanical hardness
- Dimensional stability in tall tanks and high-current applications
- Specified by some hard chrome processes for hydraulic rod and industrial plating
Custom Alloy Compositions
For specialist processes, we cast anodes to customer alloy specification:
- Tin/lead alloys outside the standard 7% composition
- Antimonial lead at non-standard antimony percentages
- Silver-bearing lead alloys for high-stability processes
- Multi-element alloys to proprietary plating bath specifications
Custom alloys are cast against a written specification confirmed before production, with certificate of analysis supplied on dispatch.
Chrome Plating Anode Geometries
Anode geometry is selected to match the tank configuration, the part being plated and the required current distribution. We manufacture six standard profiles plus fully bespoke geometries.
Round Anodes
The standard form for most plating tanks. Available in 12mm, 32mm (1¼”), 38mm (1½”), 45mm (1¾”) and 50mm (2″) diameters as standard, with custom diameters cast to order. Round anodes give consistent current distribution and are easy to mount on standard anode bars.
Corrugated Anodes
Flat anodes with a corrugated profile, increasing the active surface area within a given tank footprint. Used where higher current capacity is needed without enlarging the tank — particularly for hard chrome plating of hydraulic rods and industrial components.
Rigid Anodes
Heavy-section solid anodes for high-current applications and large plating tanks. Cast to bar or plate format with mounting tabs or cores as specified.
Tubular Anodes
Hollow tube anodes used in internal-bore plating applications — for example, hydraulic cylinder bores, gun barrels and industrial cylinder linings. The tubular form positions the anode inside the work piece for uniform internal chrome deposition.
Waffle Anodes
A grid-and-flat pattern combining high active surface area with rigid handling. Used in decorative chrome plating tanks where current distribution must be carefully controlled across complex part geometries.
Grid Anodes
Open grid anodes used where electrolyte circulation is important, allowing free movement of plating solution across the anode face. Common in modern high-throughput decorative chrome plating lines.
Connection Options
Anode current is delivered via the connection point — and the choice of connection affects current capacity, mechanical handling and tank corrosion behaviour.
Copper Hook
A copper hook cast into the top of the anode for hanging directly from the anode bar. Standard for round and corrugated anodes in most plating tanks.
Copper Tab
A flat copper tab cast into the anode top, bolted to the anode bar via a bus connection. Used for higher-current applications and larger anodes where a hook would be mechanically inadequate.
Copper Core
A copper rod cast through the centre of the anode, providing a continuous low-resistance current path along the full anode length. Specified for tall anodes and high-current density processes.
Steel Core
A steel rod cast through the anode centre, providing mechanical strength rather than current carriage. Used where the anode must support its own weight in a tall tank without bowing.
Hard Chrome & Decorative Chrome Applications
Hard Chrome Plating
Hard chrome plating produces thick chrome deposits (typically 25–250 microns and beyond) for wear resistance, corrosion protection and dimensional restoration of industrial components. Our anodes are used in hard chrome processes across:
- Hydraulic cylinder rod plating
- Industrial roller plating — printing, paper, plastics
- Aerospace landing gear and actuator plating
- Mining and earthmoving equipment refurbishment
- Industrial mould plating
- Engine valve and cylinder plating
Decorative Chrome Plating
Decorative chrome plating produces thin, bright chrome finishes (typically 0.1–0.5 microns over a nickel undercoat) for appearance and corrosion protection. Our anodes are used in decorative processes across:
- Automotive trim, wheels and accessories
- Motorcycle restoration and custom build
- Bathroom fittings and sanitary ware
- Furniture and lighting fittings
- Architectural ironmongery
- Vintage and classic vehicle restoration — see our lead products for automotive restoration
Bespoke Chrome Plating Anodes
For non-standard tank configurations, large bespoke plating lines and process-specific anode requirements, we manufacture bespoke chrome plating anodes to drawing:
- Custom alloy compositions to proprietary process specifications
- Non-standard geometries for unusual part shapes — bored anodes, shaped anodes, profile-matched anodes
- Oversized anodes for industrial plating tanks
- Internal-bore anodes for cylinder, valve body and gun barrel plating
- Replacement anodes matched to obsolete or unobtainable original specifications
How Bespoke Orders Work
- Send drawings, samples, or a clear specification of the alloy and geometry required
- We review feasibility and provide a quote with lead time (typically 2–4 weeks)
- On approval we cast, machine and dispatch with certificate of analysis
Who We Supply
Our chrome plating anodes are used by electroplating shops across the UK and internationally:
- Job-shop electroplating houses serving multiple industries
- Hard chrome platers servicing hydraulic, industrial and aerospace customers
- Decorative chrome platers serving automotive and consumer markets
- Automotive restoration specialists — classic car and motorcycle chrome work
- Aerospace and defence plating contractors
- Industrial OEM in-house plating facilities
- Bathroom and sanitary ware manufacturers
- Architectural ironmongery platers
- International export customers — plating houses across Europe, the Middle East and worldwide
Material Quality & Documentation
For plating processes where anode composition directly affects bath chemistry and finish quality, documentation is critical:
- Manufactured in the UK at our Rotherham facility
- Cast from material with documented traceability
- Certificate of analysis supplied with every order, stating alloy composition
- Consistent batch-to-batch alloy composition for process stability
- Suitable for inclusion in plating process records and customer audits
See our accreditations and compliance page for full details.
How to Order Chrome Plating Anodes
All chrome plating anode orders are processed on a quote-led basis to confirm exact alloy, geometry, connection type and quantity:
- Submit a quote request with alloy specification, anode geometry, connection type, dimensions and quantity
- We respond within 1 working day with availability, pricing and lead time
- Once approved, your order is cast, fitted with the specified connection and dispatched with certificate of analysis
For trade accounts and ongoing supply arrangements with plating houses, contact our team directly to discuss credit terms, volume pricing and BACS payment.
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