Jonathan Webb
Member
- Messages
- 413
- Location
- West Sussex, England
I'm interested in cleaning up some 316 fittings on my boat - like the fitting to the left of the pic. However, I've seen dire warnings (eg 1) about hexavalent chromium (Cr6) being generated with both health & disposal issues. I've searched on here & elsewhere, with it only rarely being mentioned with any value beyond dire warnings (2) and not in the context of a few small pieces. Most other sites talk about dipping (therefore accumulating concentration) and on at least a semi-industrial scale, and HSE etc talk about ongoing exposure etc.
If I gave this a rub down with an EP wand, would that generate hazardous amounts of Cr6? The hazard is obviously initially to me, but also rinsing into the environment. It may be that this generates little above background levels, or it may be a big no-no... I've just looked up the composition and the chromium content is a lot higher than I thought - typically ca 17%, which doesn't bode well. My default position is avoid unless it's demonstrably OK.
Does anyone have any knowledge on this? Or can point me to a suitably respectable reference?
Or other alternatives that work & repassivate, at least to some extent.
Many thanks
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Electrolysis#Stainless_Steels_and_Anode_Consumption
(2) https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hexavalent-chromium.115025/page-4
If I gave this a rub down with an EP wand, would that generate hazardous amounts of Cr6? The hazard is obviously initially to me, but also rinsing into the environment. It may be that this generates little above background levels, or it may be a big no-no... I've just looked up the composition and the chromium content is a lot higher than I thought - typically ca 17%, which doesn't bode well. My default position is avoid unless it's demonstrably OK.
Does anyone have any knowledge on this? Or can point me to a suitably respectable reference?
Or other alternatives that work & repassivate, at least to some extent.
Many thanks
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Electrolysis#Stainless_Steels_and_Anode_Consumption
(2) https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hexavalent-chromium.115025/page-4