Description of the metal stripping process
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Metal stripping
Metal stripping is necessary for the processing of defectively electroplated components without losing the properties of the base material. It may also be used for the new treatment of nascent workpieces. It may also be used for the recovery of expensive metals, both from the base metals and the coating materials. Often scrap iron substrate metal can only be regenerated if certain metal coatings which cause problems are removed. The metal stripping of jigs and/or jig contacts used in the electroplating process extends the life of the jigs and recovers the metal deposited.
To preserve the form of the surface to be stripped, the metal stripping techniques should remove the coating material quickly and safely and not attack the base metal. In exceptional cases, electrolytic activation of the coat can be necessary, for example with chemical chrome stripping. Chemical procedures are simple in application and they require less expenditure on plant equipment. On the other hand, electrolytic procedures usually work more quickly, more economically and with more control. They are therefore preferable for activities such as the metal stripping of rack contacts.
There can be increased waste production (in sludges from treatment and used acids), as well as wasted energy, water and raw materials where defective components are stripped for reworking.
Source: BAT Surface Treatment of Metals and Plastic, Aug. 2006.
