[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Virtually no sactioning bodies will allow chrome plated suspension pieces anymore. Even NASCAR that "high tech" leader banned chrome for the wheels as they could not be properly inspected and the Hydrogen embrittlement became a real concern. Most competition cars today have the arms zinc plated or other non corrosive plating. A part that has been nickel or chrome plated must be "normallized" to counteract the Hydrogen embrittlement process. As was pointed out, nickel plating is a step in the chrome process. "Chrome" in and of itself is used as a plating material only to seal and brighten the nickel underneath. When you look at a chromed part you are really seeing the nickel for the shine, the chrome is basically a "sealant" due to the fact that nickel oxidizes quickly.

Rick