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What ways can you strip chrome from stainless steel?

We are using muriatic acid and it takes many days to strip chrome from stainless steel. Some of the parts are long and have to be turned over once the first end is stripped. We have plating tanks but we do not want to contaminate them by reversing the polarity. Does anyone have any more rapid suggestions?

Paul Brayman
Plating shop - Claremore, Oklahoma, USA
March 18, 2009

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March 22, 2009

Better you ask to your chemical supplier. you can use electrolytic method to de-chrome parts.

Thanks
SURYA

SURYAPAL Singh
- DELHI, INDIA

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Hydrochloric will do a good job and not take days. I think that you have used the strip tank beyond it's practical life. Make up a new tank. If you do a lot of stripping, consider making a tank tall enough to do the part at one time.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
March 24, 2009

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Second of two simultaneous responses -- March 24, 2009

Hi

the way I strip hard chrome from s/s is to use inhibited hydrochloric acid .
much quicker , although I would recommend a suitable sized tank, so that the parts would be totally submerged, and not half in and half out as your currently doing .

hope this helps

Jay Smith
- Essex, UK

Try 10% caustic soda [affil links] at room temperature anodically, approximately 2-4 volts.

Brian Terry
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK
March 26, 2009