Letter 36005

What is the difference between Tarnaban and Evabrite WS? [New Jersey] 

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We are a Swiss Screw Machine Manufacturer and one of our customers are requesting a Evabrite WS coating instead of Chromate coating. Is Evabrite WS the same as Tarnaban?

Charlene Niedermeier
Swiss Screw Machine Manufacturer - Somerset, NJ

"Tarniban" is made by Technic of Rhode Island while "Evabrite WS" is made by Enthone. Both products are formulated and marketed as tarnish inhibitors for silver, for example, however, without the MSDS I couldn't tell you if one contains hexavalent chromium and the other is an organic or silicate-type sealer. Why is the cusotmer requiring a change? If it's for RoHS or WEEE compliance with the EU's non hexavalent chromium edict, that might be one explanation. You've got to dig deeper and find out what your customer's motivating factors are - people don't change designs or finish callout without some careful consideration.

Milt Stevenson, Jr. Anoplate Corp Syracuse, NY, USA

Wow - what a coincidence! A day after chattering on finishing.com about "Tarniban", my Technic rep walked in today. He states that all "Tarnibans" are non-chromate, however, this response reopens the question since we have no clue which "Tarniban" you were using. Just like there are many copying machines, simply saying Xerox isn't enough - we need to know which model!

Once again, go back to the MSDS - review the technical data sheet and query your customer as to the motive for the change. In this day of environmental responsibility, we can't be changing and discharging chemicals on another customer's whim. Good luck....

Milt Stevenson, Jr. Anoplate Corp Syracuse, NY, USA

I've never heard anyone express it that way before, Milt, but you are dead on! One of the 'environmental stewardship' obligations of a plating shop -- and I just never thought of it in these terms before you said it -- is to advise customers that they must not be arbitrary about specs when doing so imposes environmental consequences!

Yes, the item has to be built per spec -- but if the spec was arbitrary, change the spec. Let's get some protest placards made up: "Dump the spec, not the tank!" "Dump the spec, not the tank!"

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ

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