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What is (Zinc) plating that is Hexavalent Chrome free

May 13, 2008

We need to do some zinc plating that is supposed to be Hexvalent chrome free; We would appreciate any advice on this.

Could some one advise us on how/where we could get the plating done in China?

Thanks and best regards
MB

Max Buller
supplier - Melbourne

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Hi, Max. Zinc plating requires a conversion coating process to deter white rust. Traditionally this has been a hexavalent based chromate. Due to such requirements as RoHS, most chromating must now be free of hexavalent chrome.

The banner at upper right shows some plating shops in China, and our site's other supporting advertisers may contact you in private. But you need fair warning. It sounds like your intention is to simply ship parts off to China for plating. The colorful phrase "throwing it over the wall" has entered the venacular to humorously convey the fact that this approach has little prospect for success :-)

Whether the exportation be handled instead through local reps, or whether you gradually build up to real production orders only after gradual and repeated small "throw away" orders is a matter of style and choice -- but simply placing a large and critical order with an unknown plating shop in China that offers a too good to believe price is a virtual guarantee of a fiasco.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 13, 2008