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EU requirements for paints and primers

With the coming elimination of hex-chrome and maybe chrome all together that is leachable, what will be the requirements or considerations for paints and primers? I have a lot of information on conversion coatings but none for paints and primers. Also, what is considered leachable? If you put an epoxy paint over a hex-chromate, will that meet the EU requirements? The epoxy coating is very chemical resistance; therefore, the chromate is protected from the outside elements.

Karl Weyermann
- Lebanon, Kentucky, USA
2003

The EU's Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS)Directive is a sub-set of the Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment (WEEE)Directive. The combined purpose is to prevent toxic or carcinogenic substances like Cr6+, mercury etc. getting into the waste stream where they could harm recycling workers directly or get back into new product. Would you want your dental ironwork made from previously chromated steel? A bit far-fetched but you get the principal So the answer is no you can't coat chromate if it contains hexavalent chromium. You have to change to one of the alternatives.

Peter Robson
Nokia Mobile Phones - UK
2003