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Stripping zinc plated bolts with electrolysis?
++++I wonder if it is possible to strip the zinc layer from zinc plated bolts by electrolyisis in a profitable way.
I have to strip zinc plated material, but I want to find another ways rather than just using sulphuric acid. Therefore I wondered If it is possible strip this material in a zinc plating electrolyte meanwhile I connect it to the anode instead to the cathode?
What would be the risks and the damage to the substrate material (steel) by doing this way?
Thanks a lot and my best regards.
Guillermo CastorenaPlating Shop - San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
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We use HCl to strip zinc from steel. You can use sodium hydroxide too. Why use power when it's unnecessary?
Steve Clark- Belfast, Maine, U.S.A.
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Acid stripping is bad news for hard bolts. Hydrogen embrittlement is a very strong possibility. Bake (soon)after strip if you do. Caustic is slower than acid, but it also has a lot smaller risk or attacking the steel. Electrolytic will speed up the operation, but costs more-- a tradeoff.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
