Tons of metal parts are electroplated using zinc and zinc nickel for corrosion protection. After the electroplating process the parts are rinsed in water and then dipped into a passivation solution. The industry used Chrome +6 (toxic) for years with great corrosion protection results. Corrosion protection properties are measure in a device that sprays salt solution to determine white (surface) and red (base metal) failure points.
The industry was forced to replace the Cr+6 with a less toxic Cr+3 process. Of course the corrosion protection is not as good with Cr+3. Also the Cr+3 is sensitive to zinc (zinc layer dissolves as part of the conversion/passivation process) and iron (dissolves from bare spots and parts that fall off racks to bottom of tank). The zinc causes white stains and the iron yellow stains and corrosion protection is declining from the start of a new bath make up to dumping and recharging (say every 2-4 weeks). This means your quality chart looks like a mountain range.
Band aid chemicals are added to the bath to try and overcome the impurities. The sellers of these processes and band aids declare “Ion Exchange is EXPENSIVE”. The use of Ion Exchange can eliminate the zinc and iron, improve corrosion results (consistent), decrease usage 50% or more and decrease chrome waste. The customer is mislead and the only companies that offer a similar system mandate the use of their chemicals too. So, the customer has few good/honest options…That’s why we’re here!
We are leaders in Ion Exchange based separation, purification and extraction of metal contaminants from electroplating and surface finishing operations.
- Removal of Zinc and Iron from Trivalent Clear-Blue Passivates
- Rinse waters containing chelated metals prior to waste treatment
- End-of-Pipe compliance
- Increase Neutral Salt Spray results on a consistent basis
- Reduce scrap
- Fix root cause problems without chemical band-aids