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How to make Nickel Plated Brass Keys RoHS compliant

April 15, 2009

We are key lock supplier, our customer wants a RoHS certified keys, unfortunately I learn that Nickel is not a RoHS compliant. Can I just rid off the nickel plating and just present it as pure brass. I also learn from your previous post is that Brass has less than 4% by weight which is allowed by RoHS.

I this action okay? I appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you!

Reynaldo Balatbat
Plater of nickel over brass - Calgary

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Hi, Reynaldo. Where did you learn that nickel plating is not RoHS compliant? I haven't heard that.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
April 15, 2009

I have a nickel plated keys tested by SGS and found out that the Cadmium content is more than the amount of 100ppm which is 187ppm. I am thinking of using unplated brass on our key so that we can use them for our product to be ROHS compliant.

Reynaldo Balatbat
- Calgary, AB, Canada
May 7, 2009

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Why do you think it is the nickel plating that contains the cadmium? Is it not in the brass itself? Have you had a few plain brass keys analysed for their cadmium content?

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
May 12, 2009

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Hi, Reynaldo. You didn't mention whether the keys were electroplated with nickel, or electroless plated. However, the cadmium is probably coming from an older, non-compliant electroless nickel bath. Your plater should be able to electroplate these keys or electrolessly plate them with a cadmium-free process. It is difficult to say if unplated brass keys will be satisfactory for your application, but certainly there are many unplated brass keys out there. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 12, 2009

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June 1, 2009

Reynaldo, Hi.
Your original post, with reference to RoHS Directive ( 2002/95/EC ), the 4% by weight refers to lead ( Pb ) that is allowed as alloying element in copper alloys. The RoHS Directive do not mention any allowable % of cadmium as alloying element for copper alloys. There are copper alloys that contain cadmium as an alloy element called cadmium copper ( C16200/C16500 ).It would be wise to know what type of brass you are using to make your lock and keys.
The earlier version for electroless nickel contain lead as stabilizers. Most EN chemical suppliers now supply EN solutions that are RoHS compliant. The earlier version plates brighter compared to the RoHS compliant version. And yes, electroplated Nickel are RoHS compliant.
Finally, I have one question. Your lock and keys, are they used for the electrical and electronic industry ?

SK Cheah
- Penang, Malaysia