Summary for vacuum chrome compliant Discussion
Vacuum chrome compliant is the key question in this thread, and Ted Mooney answers that vacuum chrome plating is RoHS-compliant because chromium metal is zero valent; the restriction applies only to hexavalent chromium compounds. The original poster, Mike Kane, was concerned whether a vacuum chrome plated appliance would pass RoHS, and the answer given was a straightforward yes. The thread later shifts to a separate 2018 question from Fu Ziyin about cracking in vacuum chrome plated polycarbonate hair-dryer shells. That issue is not answered in the excerpt, but the poster notes the cracks appear after some time, often from the same spot, and the part is exposed to vibration near the motor. No conflicting view is shown in the excerpt, only the RoHS clarification and the later cracking concern.
Q. Is Vacuum Chrome plating RoHS compliant? We are making a vacuum chrome plated appliance and are worried if it will pass.
Mike Kane
product designer – Los Angeles, California, USA
2007
2007
A. Yes, naturally.
Chromium metal is zero valent. The restriction applies only to hexavalent chromium compounds.
Dave Wichern
Consultant – The Bronx, New York
Q. I think there is a misunderstanding this is vacuum chrome plating plastic not real chrome would this be RoHS compliant?
Mike Kane
– Los Angeles
2007
A. If it is aluminum (should be), it is totally RoHS compliant besides friendly to the environment.
Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007
Hi Mike,
David is saying that chromium metal is not in any oxidation state, let alone hexavalent, and only hexavalent chromium is RoHS regulated, so if it’s actually chrome metal, it’s not a problem.
But by “vacuum chrome” you probably mean “vacuum metallized with aluminum”, and aluminum is not RoHS regulated either. The organic base coat and top coat associated with vacuum metallizing would certainly be expected to be RoHS compliant as well, although I suppose it’s not impossible to contaminate those coatings with a RoHS restricted substance. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007
Cracks appear after Vacuum Chrome plating on polycarbonate
October 10, 2018
Q. I am currently doing Vacuum Chrome plating on a plastic part (PC 2805 polycarbonate) which is outer shell of a hair dryer, my problem is the part is cracking after sometime ( usually from same spot). My question is
– can this problem be related to plastic injection itself?
– does chrome plating make PC material brittle resulting in cracks?-
– or this problem is caused due to faulty chroming process?
The part where crack appears is outer shell of motor so it is constantly under some kind of vibration.
Please advise.
Many thanks in advance !!
Fu Ziyin
Buyer – China, Dongguan