Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Chrome plating and RoHS compliance

2007

Our company is requiring RoHs documentation for each component in our product whether the part contains banned substances or not. For items like stainless steel we are using the material specification and chemical composition.

I have read many places that chrome plating is RoHS compliant because the chromium is in the metallic state, not the hexavalent state which is banned by RoHS.

Is there a specification or document that can be referenced to make this case?

Thanks,

Vincent Rahner
- Lakeland, Florida

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Possibly, you might well get your plater to offer you a certification. On the other hand, you don't really need it - if all you want is a statement that metallic state chrome is not hex-chrome; find any chemistry text-book and read up on valence states - it will offer the statement you are looking for.

Otherwise, like I said, try asking your plater directly.

Good luck!

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA
2007