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-----Alternatives to hexavalent chromates
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY IS SPECIFYING A COMPLETE BAN ON HEXAVALENT CHROMATES BY THE YEAR 2002. WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME? WHY IS THIS BAN COMING IN THE FIRST PLACE?
NATALIE CHERNOW1998
1999
The Commission of European Communities issued a Proposal for a Council Directive dated Sept --- concerning the end of life for vehicles.
In short, what they have said is that after +++, member states (European countries), shall ensure that lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium contained in vehicles put on the market after the above date shall be prevented from being shredded in vehicle shredders and from being disposed of as landfill or in any installation incinerating or co-incinerating waste with or without energy recovery.
This includes all hexavalent chromates on zinc plating. The metal finishing community is under mandate to stop using hexavalent chromate conversion coatings on automotive parts. I have a copy of the 39 page proposal if you wish to have a copy. I cannot make many copies of this due to cost constraints, but I think that one or two would be fine. This is a very big problem in Europe right now. For all we know, it could cross the Atlantic Ocean and become a part of our lives. In such a case, there would be a mass effort on the part of suppliers to come up with alternative finishes of trivalent chromates possibly with or without organic topcoats.
Ed Budman [dec]
- Pennsylvania
With deep sadness we advise that our good friend Ed passed away Nov. 24, 2018
Mr. Budman is correct with his statement. However, the problem has crossed the Atlantic and the challenge is here in North America.
GM has already completed many global Cr+6 free standards that will replace current finishes. This does include platings. Ford has suggested even more stringent requirements with regard to Chrome. And now that DaimlerChrysler has a strong European presence their standards will surely take these requirements into consideration.
With the increased efforts in globalization and deproliferation, North America will be forced to react to regulations from overseas. However, many alternatives already exist that will meet even the most stringent standards. In addition, the technology will continue to improve as these restrictions become more evident.
Edward Koneczny- Birmingham, Michigan
1999
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