I know that rudders are not allowed to be chrome plated. Is it because the process weakens or makes them brittle or is it that cracks or weaknesses can't be seen.

Yes,For those reasons!!!!!!!!!

I had heard about a crash many years ago in the NDBA where a chrome plated rudder was blamed as the cause. It seems I remember something about the plating separating enough to deflect the rudder causing the crash. David

I agree, and from personal experiance. In the late 50's chrome "reversed" wheels where very popular, so I promptly had a set done. One year later one of the wheels came apart on the highway!!! I will never have another chrome wheel again, whether it be steel or aluminum. Joe Shelfo Sr.

Jackson, in 2001, at the finals in Phoenix, Joe jr. broke a rudder during eliminations. He did not crash, but had the ride of his life. Charlie Fegan and one of his tech. guys came to our pitsl later, and we examined the remenants of the rudder still in the clam shell. The break showed a very porous condition. It was determined that the rudder was previously chrome plated, later stripped in an acid bath. I feel that the platers do not rinse the acid well enough, which only keeps deteriorating the metal.

I have heard it referred to as "hydrogen embrittlement". With the LA gangbanger 22" chrome wheel thing being so popular, it seems like a lot of people are rushing out to get their factory aluminum wheels chromed.

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Terry Havens crashed in Phoenix as well had the rudder striped a week before going got back home talked to several chrome shops the process to dechrome causes hydrogen imbrittlement the part needed to be baked to retain integrity