Thanks to its eye-catching shine and affordability compared to solid brass, chrome plated brass is a popular metal for decorative and functional items. But how well does the chrome plating protect the underlying brass base metal from corrosion and tarnishing?

Chrome Plated Brass

Chrome plated brass refers to brass that has been electroplated with a thin layer of chromium. This gives the brass a shiny silver finish that resembles chrome. The brass provides the bulk and structure, while the chrome coating offers corrosion protection and an attractive appearance.

Brass is an alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. On its own, brass develops a patina and will slowly corrode over time when exposed to moisture, acids, salts, and other corrosive substances. The chrome plating acts as a barrier to shield the brass from these elements and prevent tarnishing.

Chrome plated brass is affordable and has a bright, mirror-like finish when new. This makes it popular for decorative fixtures like door knobs, light fixtures, bathroom hardware, and kitchen cabinet handles. It’s also used for musical instruments, valves, plumbing fittings, and other applications where corrosion resistance and aesthetics are important.

Compared to solid brass, chrome plated brass is lighter in weight and lower in cost. The thickness of the electroplated chrome layer is usually between 0.2 to 1 microns. While this is an extremely thin coating, it’s enough to provide good protection if maintained properly.

Does Chrome Plating Prevent Brass Corrosion Entirely?

Now let’s get into the main question – does chrome plated brass corrode?

The short answer is yes, it can eventually corrode, but the chrome plating dramatically slows the corrosion process.

Neither chromium (chrome) nor copper (a main component of brass) contain iron, so chrome plated brass does not rust the way steel does. However, the underlying brass base metal can still react with oxygen, acids, and other chemicals that cause corrosion over time.

No plating or coating lasts forever. Chrome plating provides excellent corrosion protection for the brass, but it does gradually wear away with use and exposure to the elements. As the chrome finish deteriorates, the brass becomes more vulnerable to corrosion.

In ideal indoor conditions, chrome plated brass can maintain its shine and corrosion resistance for decades. With proper care and occasional re-chroming, it’s possible to keep chrome plated brass items looking pristine for generations.

However, in harsh outdoor environments or applications with regular wear, the chrome finish will eventually fail. At this point, tarnishing and corrosion of the underlying brass will accelerate.

Key Factors That Impact Corrosion of Chrome Plated Brass

Several variables affect how quickly chrome plated brass may start to corrode:

Exposure to moisture: Wet or damp conditions allow corrosion to take hold faster. Chrome plating can buy several years of protection, but constant moisture will shorten its lifespan.
Exposure to chlorides and acids: Household and industrial cleaning products often contain chlorides and acids that will attack chrome plated brass. Salts and acidic foods can also cause corrosion in kitchen hardware.
Scratches and wear: Any damage that compromises the integrity of the chrome layer allows corrosion to impact the underlying brass. Regular handling and use creates wear over time.
UV exposure: Sunlight and UV rays will eventually break down the protective chrome layer, especially in outdoor settings.
Pollutants and chemicals: Chrome plated brass exposed to certain chemicals may corrode faster than in normal atmosphere. This is especially true in industrial settings.
Galvanic corrosion: If chrome plated brass contacts certain dissimilar metals, galvanic corrosion can occur rapidly at the point of contact. An example is brass combined with stainless steel hardware.

With adequate care and maintenance, chrome plated brass can retain its luster and resist corrosion for many years in typical household and commercial settings. Let’s look at some examples…

How Long Does Chrome Plated Brass Last in Different Situations?

The lifespan of chrome plated brass depends heavily on the conditions it faces:

Indoor plumbing fittings: 20-30 years before re-chroming needed.
Door knobs and cabinet hardware: 10-15 years with regular use before signs of tarnish appear.
Bathroom fixtures and accessories: 5-10 years before corrosion is visible.
Outdoor light fixtures: 3-7 years before chrome finish degrades significantly.
Coastal environments: 2-5 years before corrosion accelerates.
Swimming pools and hot tubs: 1-3 years before pitting and corrosion take hold.

With careful maintenance and limiting damage to the chrome finish, indoor pieces can look pristine for decades. But in harsh outdoor settings, humidity, and exposure to chemicals, deterioration happens more rapidly.

Maintaining and Caring for Chrome Plated Brass

To maximize the longevity of chrome plated brass, follow these care tips:

Gently clean with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing that can scratch the chrome.
Rinse and thoroughly dry after cleaning to prevent water spotting.
Apply a thin coat of car wax or polish made for chrome to help maintain the finish.
Avoid contact with harsh chemicals like bleach, acids, and solvents.
For solid brass pieces underneath the chrome, prevent tarnish with brass polish.
Immediately repair any scratches, chips, or damaged areas in the chrome plating.
Consider re-chroming pieces every 10-15 years for optimal corrosion resistance.

With regular cleaning and taking steps to protect the chrome finish, you can keep chrome plated brass looking shiny and prevent premature corrosion.

How Does Chrome Plated Brass Compare to Other Metals?

Let’s see how chrome plated brass stacks up against some other metals used in decorative hardware, fixtures, and accents:

Solid brass: More expensive, but higher corrosion resistance and easier to re-polish. No plating to wear off over time.
Nickel plated brass: Affordable like chrome plating, but nickel finish is softer and less corrosion resistant.
Copper: Develops patina but is prone to corrosion without protective finishes. Requires frequent polishing.
Stainless steel: Most durable and corrosion resistant option, but also more expensive. Can last decades with no coating.
Plastic/PVC: Cheap but prone to fading, scratching, and breaking over time. No corrosion resistance.

For many applications, chrome plated brass offers the best compromise between cost, appearance, and longevity. It outperforms plastic and nickel plating, with better corrosion protection compared to raw brass or copper.

Signs of Corrosion and Tarnishing in Chrome Plated Brass

With use over time, how can you identify the early stages of corrosion in chrome plated brass? Here are some telltale signs that the protective chrome layer is failing:

Pitting, tiny holes, or small spots of tarnish
Development of a patina or cloudiness in the finish
Visible wear, scratches, flakes or peeling of the chrome plating
Exposure of the yellowish brass metal underneath chrome surfaces
Green or blue deposits forming on surfaces

At the first sign of corrosion, address it immediately to avoid accelerated deterioration of the underlying brass. Wipe off any corrosion, polish away tarnish, and re-apply protective wax or repair the chrome finish.

Is it Possible to Repair Corroded Chrome Plated Brass?

Once corrosion has taken hold, it can be difficult to fully restore chrome plated brass to a flawless, shiny finish. But it is possible to repair early corrosion damage and extend the life of chrome plated brass pieces.

Here are some repair options:

Re-chroming: This involves stripping off old chrome and re-applying a fresh layer of electroplated chromium. This provides the most complete restoration, but can be costly.
Spot re-chroming: For localized damage, it’s possible to re-chrome just the affected areas. This is more affordable than a full re-chroming job.
Polishing: Gently removing tarnish and surface corrosion with metal polishes can buy some extra time before re-chroming is needed.
Sealing: Applying a clear-coat sealant can help slow down corrosion of the underlying brass. But it won’t fix damage to the chrome finish itself.
Repainting: For decorative pieces, repainting with a chrome-effect paint can mask corrosion damage. But this won’t prevent future tarnishing.

For severe corrosion and pitting, a full re-chroming process is recommended to return the metal to like-new condition. This requires removing old chrome and restoring a smooth base layer before applying the new electroplated finish.

Final Thoughts

Chrome plated brass provides an eye-catching shine and affordable alternative to solid brass hardware and fixtures. The key is realizing that no plating or coating lasts forever.

With proper maintenance and limiting exposure to moisture, acids, and chemicals, quality chrome plated brass can retain its luster for many years before corrosion sets in. Small scratches and tarnishing can be polished out to extend its lifespan further.

However, all chrome plated brass will eventually require re-chroming – sometimes in as little as 1-2 years in harsh environments. The better the care, the longer this protective finish will last.

So while it’s not impervious to corrosion, chrome plated brass offers a decorative, affordable, and reasonably durable option for fixtures, accents, door hardware, and more. With conscientious maintenance, you can enjoy its brilliant shine for decades before the brass underneath starts to tarnish.

References

ASM International. “Corrosion of Brass and Bronze.” https://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/3477870/06117G_Sample.pdf/bad9ba4a-efa9-4fc1-b37b-30a138c33b91
Premier Finishes. “Chrome Plating Care Tips.” https://www.pfonline.com/articles/chrome-plating-care-tips
Aalco Metals Ltd. “Brass Corrosion.” https://www.aalco.co.uk/datasheets/Brass-Corrosion-Resistance-144.ashx
Sharretts Plating Company. “Chrome Plating.” https://www.sharrettsplating.com/chrome-plating
Tom’s Hardware Forum. “How Long Does Chrome Plating Last?” https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/how-long-does-chrome-plating-last.2546061/