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Cr3 and the environment

We are in the process of opening a plant to provide a chrome alternative to the automotive industry. Knowing that Cr6 has become taboo in the industry we are working with PVD and powder paints to achieve a chrome-like finish. The process is being marketed as an external decorative bright finish for parts such as wheels, trim and bumpers. My question concerns cr3, traditional platers are switching from cr6 to cr3, I have read cr3 does not have the same self healing properties as cr6, is typically not as durable and can have color issues. What I have not found is the environmental impact of cr3, is it a recycleable material and is it a long term solution to cr6?

Brian Boley
- Columbus, OH, United States
2004

This is a difficult issue to discuss in a public forum, Brian, because chrome is used in two different applications in the plating industry and people tend to think we are talking about one when we are actually talking about the other. With that disclaimer . . .

There is neither Cr6 nor Cr3 in the chrome plating on wheels, trim, and bumpers. There is only chrome metal in either case. So the actual recycling impact of whether Cr3 or Cr6 was used in the original plating is largely irrelevant :-)

What rules today is perceptions and paranoias, so I think the same paranoias that are eliminating chrome plating will eliminate all chrome plating, such that the future of trivalent chrome plating is not bright. But, then again, no one can predict the future.

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

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A groan to Ted for the (hopefully intended) pun.

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
2004