Hello Goldengatebikes,
I see this is your first post, welcome! nothing goes unnoticed. for long, around here...
Black chrome is georgeous stuff, but if it is as soft as mentioned, maybe you look for the DLC (diamond like coating) found on all sorts of high stress parts. I have no idea if it is generally available, or what its cost may be, although what I seen it on (JS Engineering wrist pins, Ducati fork stancions) leads me to believe that it is hansomely expensive (must be good...)
RS