Presentation for Download: New Thermal Spray Rule
Barbara Kanegsberg, SQRC and James Unmack, CIH, Unmack Corporation,
presented an evaluation and review of a new environmental regulation covering
thermal spray applications at the 15th Annual Workshop on Alternatives to Toxic
Materials in Industrial Processes. A new California Air Resources Board (CARB)
regulation impacts manufacturers utilizing chrome and nickel in thermal spray
operations. Thermal spray was developed, in part, as an environmentally-preferred
process. While it is generally accepted that thermal spray operations result
in minimal if any conversion to hexavalent chromium, the lack of definitive
experimental studies combined with extreme safety and regulatory concerns over
the possibility of hexavalent chromium resulted in an interesting interpretation
of data and a very stringent regulation. If the climate were such that actual
thermal spray conversion data could be obtained and dispassionately evaluated,
thermal spray processes could be adopted on a more widespread basis; or the
process might be modified to minimize environmental impact. In some instances,
hard chrome electroplating could be replaced. To download a copy of the presentation
click here.
(document size- 5.4MB)