TripleHard® Replaces Hexavalent Chromium – For Good

Update, October 2026: this article was published in July 2025. In October 2026 three statements were corrected to match what Savroc publishes today: the hardness figure, a “first” claim and a regulatory date. Today’s headline specification for TripleHard® is 900–1050 HV hardness, without heat treatment, and 1000 h in neutral salt spray (rating 10, depending on the nickel underlayer). The current position on the EU restriction of Cr(VI) is on the Technology page, and the latest news on the continuous line is in News.

TripleHard® is a proven, high-performance Cr(III) hard-chrome coating for heavy industry, in industrial use today.

Trivalent Chromium (Cr(III)) is not a new invention. It has long been recognized as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)).

So why hasn’t it been adopted in heavy industry?

The reason is simple: Cr(III)-based coatings have failed to meet the extreme technical demands of heavy-duty applications. Lower corrosion resistance, reduced hardness, limited coating thickness and uniformity, and a lack of long-term field data have held Cr(III) back – until now.

Savroc’s TripleHard® coating changes everything. It is a Cr(III)-based solution that meets the performance, regulatory and economic requirements of the heavy equipment industry. Field trials show a dramatic increase in hydraulic cylinder service life – from 2 months to 34 months – while reducing emissions by up to 94% per application annually.

Better for the Environment – and Your Business

Cr(VI) -based coating are effective, but they come with high emissions, serious health risks, and increasing regulatory pressure. Producing a single 100 kg hydraulic cylinder creates a carbon footprint of approximately 204 kg carbon dioxide emissions with 64% coming from raw materials. When component lifespan increases 17-fold, the need for frequent replacements vanishes – and emissions drop accordingly. 

The reason Cr(III) failed before – and how we fixed it

Despite its safety benefits, Cr(III) has faced major technical hurdles:

  • Lower corrosion resistance (depending on alloy and process)
  • Reduced hardness
  • Limitations in coating thickness and uniformity
  • Lack of long-term field data in critical applications

TripleHard® overcomes all of these:

  • Hardness 900-1050 HV, without heat treatment
  • Uniform coating thickness up to 150 µm
  • Corrosion resistance up to 1000 hours in salt spray (NSS) testing
  • Nanostructured Cr-C-Fe-Ni alloy combining wear resistance and toughness
  • Proven field performance in extreme mining conditions
Field-Proven Results

Savroc and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences’ joint field trials proved no Cr(III) had achieved before when compared to Cr(VI):

  • Cylinder lifespan extended from 2 month (hexavalent chromium level) to 34 months
  • Annual carbon dioxide emissions reduced by up to 1150 kg per application
  • No structural modifications required to cylinders

This is no longer a lab concept. It is a real-world solution – field-proven, scalable, and ready for industry-wide adoption.

Read the full engineering thesis published on Theseus.fi, detailing the field testing, carbon footprint analysis, and regulatory implications of the TripleHard® coating.

Regulation isn’t waiting – and neither should you

EU legislation such as REACH and the Carcinogens Directive mandates the phase-out of hexavalent chromium as soon as viable alternative exists. With TripleHard®, that threshold has been met. Continued use of hexavalent chromium is not only a regulatory risk – in many applications, it is already non-compliant.

The ECHA restriction proposal would phase out the remaining uses. But the real deadline is much sooner: supply chain pressure, reputational risk, and increasing authorization costs are already forcing the transition.

The Business Case is Clear

TripleHard® doesn’t just meet performance and compliance standards – it also makes financial sense:

  • Lower CAPEX and OPEX (fewer chemicals, simpler process)
  • Improved financing and insurance terms
  • Enhanced ESG profile – a growing factor in tenders and investment decisions

Initial plating equipment upgrades typically pay for themselves in 1-2 years, especially for SMEs supported by EU green financing instruments.

TripleHard® is Ready – Are You?

Savroc has removed the final barrier to Cr(III) adoption in heavy-duty applications. With TripleHard®, companies no longer have to choose between performance and responsibility – they can have both.

The technology is proven. The benefits are clear. The time to act is now.

→Contact us to start your move away from hexavalent chromium.