TripleHard®
Engine Valves

Trivalent hard chrome coating for engine valves – TripleHard® replaces Cr(VI) with longer valve life and superior compliance.
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Superior Performance

Responsible Choice

Easy Retrofit

Trivalent hard chrome coated engine valves

Superior Hard Chrome
Alternative for Engine Valves

From industrial engines to on-road and off-highway powertrains, valve stems and seats face hot, corrosive media and high sliding loads. TripleHard® forms a uniform, hard chrome layer with low friction that protects contact surfaces, reduces wear and preserves sealing performance over long service intervals. The Cr(VI)-free, REACH-compliant process removes post-bake steps, shortens lead time and cuts energy use

OEMs get stable performance and reduces warranty risk; Coaters receive ready specifications, drawings and QA support to bring TripleHard® into series production quickly.

Case Studies
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Excellent Corrosion Resistance
0 + h
in NSS test with the best rating
Superior Hardness minimum of
0 HV
that increaes after 500 ºC heat exposure
Sustainable & Safe
0 %
REACH-compliant and Cr(VI)-free

OEMs & Coaters

OEM – Why TripleHard®

TripleHard® is trivalent Cr(III) hard chrome solution delivered as a complete package – licensed process, production line and chemical service – for engine valves and other high-load engine components.

  • REACH-compliant, Cr(VI)-free hard chrome replacement
  • Proven in demanding engine applications with OEM-approved specifications
  • High hardness and wear resistance with stable performance after high-temperature exposure
  • Excellent corrosion and acid resistance against condensates, fuels and exhaust environments
  • Complete delivery: licensed process, engine valve spec pack and retrofit concept for your current coating line
Download datasheet
Book a meeting

why to adopt Triplehard now

1

Validated and proven coating

TripleHard® is a fully industrialized Cr(III) hard chrome process with years of field experience and OEM approvals. The coating has passed endurance, wear and corrosion tests on demanding parts – you are not starting a research project, but adopting a ready-made solution.

2

Regulation and legislation

Hexavalent chromium is a substance of very high concern. Under REACH, the aim is that such substances are progressively replaced by safer alternatives when technically and economically viable. Continuing with Cr(VI) means increasing authorization costs, tightening exposure limits and, in the coming restriction, direct bans on many uses. Adopting TripleHard® removes Cr(VI) from your valve coating step and alings you with legislation.

3

Better technical and economic performance

TripleHard® delivers high hardness and wear resistance that remains stable even after high-temperature exposure, together with excellent acid and corrosion resistance – ideal for valve stems and guides in hot, corrosive exhaust and fuel environments. At the same time it avoids costly Cr(VI) fume-scrubbing and complex wastewater treatment. With longer valve lifetime, potential for thinner coatings and lower environmental overheads, TripleHard® reduces both CO₂ footprint and total life-cycle cost compared with legacy hard chrome.

4

Next step to adopt – contact Savroc

The next step is a joint workshop: we review your engine valve portfolio and existing coating line, identify where TripleHard® can replace Cr(VI) and outline the retrofit concept for that line. Book a meeting and we will map a concrete migration plan for your plants.

How TripleHard perform on engine valve parts

& hardness increases
0 °C

Read more

TripleHard® maintains – and even increases – its hardness after heat-treatment cycles up to 500 °C, thanks to its carbon-containing structure. Unlike conventional Cr(VI) hard chrome, which begins to lose hardness at elevated temperatures, TripleHard® becomes harder due to structural changes activated by heat. Internal testing at Savroc confirms that the coating retains its integrity and exceeds its base hardness of 1,000–1,500 HV, making it especially suited for high-temperature sliding surfaces such as engine valve stems and guides.

less friction vs. Cr(VI)
0 %

Read more

In a ball-valve application test, TripleHard® reduced torque so much that the valve manufacturer could move from the original actuator size to a unit 33% smaller, while still achieving the same operating moment. The test campaign showed roughly 70% lower air consumption per stroke (–69% air volume, –81% compressed-air use) compared with the Cr(VI)-coated reference, translating into lower energy demand, CO₂ emissions and actuator cost per valve

corrosion in acid test
0 µm

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TripleHard’s acid resistance was benchmarked against two conventional hard chrome coatings in 5% H₂SO₄ at 100 °C. In this test, the Cr(VI) hard chrome samples lost material and showed 7–22 µm corrosion depth, while the TripleHard coated sample showed 0 µm measurable corrosion and 0 g mass loss after 23 minutes of exposure. This demonstrates that the coating tolerates aggressive exhaust-gas condensates and fuel-sulphur environments better than legacy hard chrome on valve parts.

Sustainable performance for your fleet

Replace Cr(VI) with a REACH-compliant trivalent hard chrome coating. TripleHard® helps you cut emissions, improve worker safety and stay ahead of tightening regulations.

Learn more about sustainability

Coaters – Why TripleHard®

TripleHard® lets you upgrade from Cr(VI) hard chrome to a REACH-compliant Cr(III) process with a retrofitted Cr(III) chemistry. You can keep serving existing customers and win new OEM programs that require Cr(VI)-free coatings.

  • Retrofit your current valve coating line to a licensed TripleHard® Cr(III) process
  • High-temperature hardness and wear resistance suitable for engine duty cycles
  • Strong acid and corrosion resistance against fuels, condensates and exhaust gases
  • Meet OEM requirements to eliminate Cr(VI) from engine coatings and improve ESG scores
  • Ongoing chemistry service and process support from Savroc to keep the retrofitted line stable and within spec
Download datasheet
Download technical pack (PDF)

how to adopt

1

Retrofit your existing line

Decide which of your current valve coating lines will be converted to TripleHard®. Together with our equipment partner we define the retrofit scope – tank cleaning or replacement, anodes, rinses, ventilation and utilities – so the line is ready for Cr(III).

2

License, training & audit

Savroc provides the process recipe, operating window, control instructions and operator training. Once the retrofitted line is running stably on engine valve parts, we audit the process so it can be licensed for TripleHard® production and OEM approvals.

3

Ramp-up & Cr(VI) phase-out

Increase TripleHard® volume step by step, add more engine families and plants, and plan the shutdown of remaining Cr(VI) baths and related ventilation and waste treatment.

How TripleHard perform on engine valve parts

no impact on hardness
0 °C

Read more

TripleHard® maintains – and even increases – its hardness after heat-treatment cycles up to 500 °C, thanks to its carbon-containing structure. Unlike conventional Cr(VI) hard chrome, which begins to lose hardness at elevated temperatures, TripleHard® becomes harder due to structural changes activated by heat. Internal testing at Savroc confirms that the coating retains its integrity and exceeds its base hardness of 1,000–1,500 HV, making it especially suited for high-temperature sliding surfaces such as engine valve stems and guides.

less friction vs. Cr(VI)
0 %

Read more

In a ball-valve application test, TripleHard® reduced torque so much that the valve manufacturer could move from the original actuator size to a unit 33% smaller, while still achieving the same operating moment. The test campaign showed roughly 70% lower air consumption per stroke (–69% air volume, –81% compressed-air use) compared with the Cr(VI)-coated reference, translating into lower energy demand, CO₂ emissions and actuator cost per valve.

corrosion in acid test
0 µm

Read more

TripleHard’s acid resistance was benchmarked against two conventional hard chrome coatings in 5% H₂SO₄ at 100 °C. In this test, the Cr(VI) hard chrome samples lost material and showed 7–22 µm corrosion depth, while the TripleHard coated sample showed 0 µm measurable corrosion and 0 g mass loss after 23 minutes of exposure. This demonstrates that the coating tolerates aggressive exhaust-gas condensates and fuel-sulphur environments better than legacy hard chrome on valve parts.

Make compliance the easy choice

TripleHard® gives a practical path to replace Cr(VI): a familiar plating process, fully REACH-compliant chemistry and cleaner working conditions. Stay competitive as sustainability criteria tighten.

Learn more about sustainability

What We Offer

TripleHard® is delivered as a complete package – license, line concept and chemical & process support

TripleHard® license

Savroc license the TripleHard® Cr(III) hard chrome process to your plant, including process window, control instructions and OEM-grade QA documentation. You get repeatable, audited coating process instead of a one-off chemistry trial.

Equipment and line concept

We deliver a complete production line or retrofit concept: tanks, agitation, rectifiers, exhaust and handling. All layouts are engineered for TripleHard® from day one, so you reach stable quality and high productivity faster.

Chemicals, maintenance & support

Savorc supplies the TripleHard® additives and support bath maintenance, troubleshooting and continuous improvement. You get regular analysis, recommendations and remote/on-site support to keep the line in its sweet spot.

  • REACH-compliant
  • Cr(VI)-free
  • Low CO2 emissions
  • SDS & documentation

Ready to replace Cr(VI) in your own plant?

Book a meeting and we’ll outline a TripleHard® line and migration plan for your components.

Book a meeting
Request line concept

Technical information

Download the technical pack

The engine valve technical pack gives your engineering and quality teams everything they need to specify TripleHard® for engine valves – from drawing notes and specifications to test data and REACH / Cr(VI)-free compliance documentation.

Included in the package:

  • Coating performance in NSS and sulfuric acid corrosion tests
  • Wear, friction and high-temperature durability benchmarks for valve steams and seats
  • Coating structure, thickness range, hardness and surface roughness data
  • Base valve steel compatibility and typical valve applications
  • Repairability, re-coating procedures and lifecycle cost impact
  • REACH & Cr(VI)-free compliance and EHS benefits for engine plants
Download technical pack (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

FAQ – TripleHard

No new field trials needed – here are answers to the most common questions.

Q1: Why should I switch my current Cr(VI) coating to TripleHard?

A: Hexavalent chromium is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic substance, and EU regulation is tightening – Cr(VI) compounds are moving from authorization to direct restrictions, which will heavily limit their use and increase compliance costs. Staying with Cr(VI) increases regulatory and business risk. TripleHard® uses safer Cr(III) chemistry, is REACH-compliant and eliminates Cr(VI) fumes and complex waste, while delivering higher hardness, more uniform thickness and durable wear and corrosion performance on valve steams and seats. In practice you reduce risk and environmental burden and get a better-performing coating.

Q2: Is TripleHard suitable for high-temperature engine valves

A: Yes. TripleHard® is designed for heavy-duty applications and maintains its hardness and structure at elevated temperatures, as demonstrated in engine part testing and thermal cycles. This makes it well suited to intake and exhaust valve stems and guides, where traditional Cr(VI) coatings can soften or crack over time.

Q3: Do we still need post-heat treatment with TripleHard on valves?

A: For most engine valve applications TripleHard® process reach full hardness without post-bake, which shortens lead time and cuts energy use. In very aggressive, acid-rich media a corrosion-optimized grade can be used with a controlled heat treatment – this is defined in the technical pack.

Q4: What coating thickness do you recommend for valve stems and seats?

A: Typical TripleHard® coating thickness for valve stems and sealing surfaces is significantly thinner than conventional hard chrome – often in the 20-40 μm rage instead of 100-200 μm – thanks to the higher hardness and wear resistance. The technical pack includes recommended thickness ranges for different engine and valve classes.

Q5: Will TripleHard change our valve design or tolerances?

A: No design change is needed. TripleHard® is an electroplated coating that can match existing hard chrome thickness and tolerances, or use a thin layer with adjusted grinding allowance. You keep the same stem diameters, guides and seats – only the coating process changes.

Q6: Is TripleHard REACH-compliant and completely Cr(IV)-free?

A: Yes. TripleHard® uses a trivalent chromium electrolyte and REACH-compliant additives; there no chromic or boric acid in the bath and no hexavalent chromium in the process. This removes the need for REACH authorization, simplifies audits and helps your valve portfolio stay ahead of regulatory bans.

Q7: What changes does a coater need to make on an existing hard chrome valve line?

A: Most of the existing infrastructure can be reused. The Cr(VI) bath is replaced with a TripleHard® Cr(III) bath, anodes are changed to graphite or MMO, and good housekeeping prevents zinc and copper contamination. Because trivalent fumes are far less harmful, only standard ventilation is usually needed, not expensive scrubbers.

Q8: How long does a typical TripleHard implementation take for engine valves?

A: For a motivated OEM-coater pair, a typical timeline from first pilot valves to stable series production is around 4-8 weeks, depending on line size, number of valve families and validation requirements. The process follows the same steps as on hydraulic rods: select target parts, pilot with a licensed coater, update specifications and then phase out Cr(VI) in the supply chain.

Take the next step

Ready specifications • No post-bake • REACH-compliant

Book a meeting
Ask about line requirements