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Will IPA destroy chromated surfaces

Q. Hi!
Will isopropyl alcohol (IPA) destroy clear chromate surface on zinc plated sheet metal part and subsequently causing the formation of white rust (zinc oxide)?

KG Tay
quality engineer -Singapore
2003

The short answer is that wiping/cleaning with IPA will usually not destroy the chromated surface, Mr. Tay. Unfortunately, your question is a bit abstract, and your real-world situation may be a bit different. So the answer isn't really sure because provisos have been left out of the answer. If you are asking whether zinc can be immersed in IPA, then no, it will rust.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

A. IPA is a child. Can you expect a child to do any harm.

Regards,

Dinesh P.
- Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
2004

A. G'Day,

Pure IPA is fairly harmless, I have used it to remove handling contamination (Skin Oils) prior to applying urethanes and epoxies to screws etc, one problem is that IPA is Hygroscopic (It will pick up water, out of the air so I then stove @ around 50C immediately prior to the application of any coatings).

Hope this helps.

Robert Fyfe
Audio Eng. - Wyoming, NSW, Australia

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