Letter 33008

Stripping zinc plated bolts with electrolysis? [Mexico] 

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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 Castorena
Plating Shop - San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico

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.

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
- FL

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