Cr(VI) is done. TripleHard® is the first proven, safe and high-performance Cr(III) coating for the heavy industry – and it’s ready now
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 the first Cr(III)-based solution to meet 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
The reason Cr(III) failed before – and how we fixed it
- 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 up to 1500 HV
- 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.
By 2028, all derogations will be removed under the ECHA proposal. 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 transition to a Cr(VI)-free future.
