Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Hard Chrome - Rotating Cathode

adv.

Q. Our company is currently working with a customer to eliminate the Mercury from their existing rotating crank "fixture". Currently the Mercury is transferring the current to the shaft. We are required to transfer 6000 Amps to the rotating shaft beneath the hard chrome bath. If anyone could suggest the best way to achieve this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Steve K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Engineering Manager - Chatham, Ontario, Canada
2004

A. I suppose the project could be handled with a carbon brush arrangement, Steve -- although it sounds inherently more gangly and trouble-prone than the mercury approach.

Are you sure that you should feel obligated to get the mercury out of this system when doing so will probably increase maintenance personnel exposure to carcinogenic hexavalent chromium? The mercury can be completely sealed away from operator exposure and the environment; the chromic acid unfortunately can't be. Should we increase exposure to a real environmental hazard in order to address a probably imaginary hazard? Maybe, but it requires examination.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

adv.

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: