COREX Innovation set to Replace Hard Chrome Coatings

LEEDS, England, May 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

After years of rigorous research, development and field-testing APEX release COREX, their brand new range of superior cylinder rod coatings, set to revolutionise the duration and durability of cylinders and pistons.

A Tungsten Chromium Carbide compound, Corex is an extremely hard, dense, cohesive rod coating with extremely high bond strength. Whilst outperforming HCP on the core metrics of cylinder impact, corrosion and wear, the cylinder application process for Corex is shorter in duration and provides ecological advantages over HCP.

COREX's extreme hardness, up to 1400Hv, provides excellent bond strength of <10,000psi compared to HCP 750-850HV, <5000psi. COREX more than halves the impact damage to cylinders through small repeated impact and large impact, which dents the substrate and in turn leads to cracking and peeling of the coating. Material flex in hydraulic pistons has also been carefully considered and the technology adapted to accommodate.

Utilising thermal spraying techniques COREX is able to spray large surface areas with a thicker coating. Not only does this reduce the application time from a full day to within hours but in addition provides a continuous surface preventing the micro-cracks associated with HCP that lead to corrosion. HCP porosity is 5-10% with additional micro-cracks in contrast COREX porosity is less than 1% with NO micro-cracks.

Mechanical components in the hydraulic industry suffer extreme abrasive wear and corrosion under great environmental pressures and continuous usage. COREX's extreme hardness at 1400Hv and thicker coating ensures increased cylinder life, durability, efficiency and performance. COREX therefore enables machinery to cope with low lubricity fluids or high contamination better than its counterpart HCP. In addition to its other benefits COREX holds an ecological advantage over HCP, which produces harmful hexavalent chromium as a by-product.

James Oldroyd, Managing Director at Apex Hydraulics said their client-centric approach was at the heart of their innovation,

"In response to feedback from our clients we have spent the last 2 years researching and developing a brand new range of cylinder rod coatings that will help increase the lifespan and durability of hydraulic cylinders. As a result we are proud to announce the availability of COREX.

"Hard chrome plating is the industry standard solution. It offers good all round performance. But where improvements are needed COREX is the superior solution."

About Apex:

Established in 1986 Apex offers a comprehensive service for the design, manufacture, supply and repair of a wide range of hydraulic equipment. Highly respected market leaders, Apex specialize in meeting the hydraulic requirements of the oil and gas industry.

Visit http://www.apexhydraulics.co.uk for more details.