The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Bath Control

We have lots of chemical solution bath for surface treatment of Aerospace program. As you know, chemical solution would get aged as we use it, and sometimes, unsatisfactory quality from the treated parts is obtained even though the solution is under the control limits. So, I suppose the life of bath should be limited by certain methods or practices.
My questions on this matter are:
1. Do baths periodically replaced (dump and recharge new solution)?
2. If so, how do we determine the frequency of replacing?
Thank you,
Sincerely yours

D.Y.Yoo
Aerospace - Busan, Korea
2007

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First of two simultaneous responses --

It depends on the bath and housekeeping. A chrome bath that is regularly porous pot treated and kept clean of parts that fell off the rack will last nearly a lifetime. Get oil and chlorides into it and you can dump regularly.
Other baths have long life times that can be carbon treated. Acid tin baths need to be dumped regularly.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Your chemicals can become useless and you can still maintain you're concentration levels. Whoever is supplying your chemicals to you can test you're tanks to determine their condition, and give you a PM schedule. It sounds like your service rep needs to be more actively involved in your process.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2007

Dear Mr. D.Y.Yoo , first what is your chemical and concentration and what is your tank made of, then I can help .

Tariq Sunni
CITY SIGN - Manama, Bahrain
2007