A strong desire exists from an environmental, health and safety perspective to eliminate hexavalent chromium during electroplating of protective hard chrome coatings used to enhance component wear resistance. However, toxic hexavalent chromium waste streams are also generated during repair and refurbishment of chrome components as the parts are electrolytically stripped of the existing chrome before being recoated and reinstalled into various systems. Furthermore, the chromate formed during stripping accumulates in the electrolyte, interfering with the process efficiency and damaging the base metal.

Faraday is working to develop an electrolytic stripping process intended as a drop-in replacement for the conventional stripping process. The process seeks to eliminate the formation of hexavalent chromium while maintaining the material properties of the underlying substrate.

Faraday will present work that demonstrates removal of chrome from high strength steel substrates using a weak acid electrolyte that doesn’t produce hexavalent chromium or adversely affect the substrate properties. Furthermore, the effect of pulse and pulse/reverse electric fields on the efficacy of the stripping process will be presented.