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CHROME REGULATIONS

Limiting the SuRFace tenSion
(1) Each facility that controls the release of hexavalent
chromium compounds from a tank by limiting the
surface tension of the solution containing a hexava-
lent chromium compound must maintain the surface
tension in that tank at a value of less than
(a) 35 dyn/cm if the surface tension is measured with
a tensiometer; or
(b) 45 dyn/cm if the surface tension is measured with
a stalagmometer.

(3) Each facility must measure and record, for each tank,
the surface tension of the solution containing the These du Nouy rings (right) and
hexavalent chromium compound once every day stalagmometer (above) were the only
during which the tank is used and the measurements accepted methods of measuring surface
tension under the old regulations.
must be taken at least 16 hours apart.
chRomium eLectRopLating,
chRomium anodizing and ReveRSe RecoRd Keeping
etching ReguLationS The owner or operator of chromium electroplating,
SoR/2009-162 chromium anodizing or reverse etching equipment must
cuRRent to FebRuaRy 28, 2019 continue to keep all records, reports, inspection and main-
(4) The surface tension must be measured in tenance plans, floor plans depicting the location of tanks
accordance with and if applicable, the location of control devices and fans,
(a) the ASTM International method ASTM D 1331-89 test results and other information required by these Regu-
(Reapproved 2001), Standard Test Methods for lations at the facility where that equipment is located or,
Surface and Interfacial Tension of Solutions of on notification to the Minister, at any other place in Canada
Surface Active Agents, except Method B, as where the documents can be inspected for a period of at
amended from time to time, if measured with a least five years beginning on the date of their creation.
tensiometer; or
(b) the manufacturer’s instructions, if measured coming into FoRce
with a stalagmometer. These Regulations come into force 30 days after the day
on which they are registered.
chRomium eLectRopLating, This consolidation is current to May 17, 2020. The last
chRomium anodizing and ReveRSe amendments came into force on March 16, 2020.
etching ReguLationS
SoR/2009-162 the FutuRe
cuRRent to may 17, 2020 New available technologies are significantly faster, do not
(4) The surface tension must be measured in accordance require any calculations to derive surface tension, nor the
with the instructions of the tensiometer or stalag- monotony of counting drops of chromic acid liquid. The
mometer manufacturer, as the case may be. du Nouy rings and glass stalagmometers, unfortunately,
are known to be very fragile.
uSe oF a tanK coveR Simple, robust, high precision tensiometers are now
Each facility that controls the release of hexavalent chromium able to be used to keep facilities in compliance. The in-
compounds from a tank by using a tank cover must ensure struments are very fast and easy to use, requiring no special
that the cover is closed while chromium electroplating, training. The calibration times are short, requiring only
chromium anodizing or reverse etching is taking place and water to calibrate. The measurement itself is done in less
that the cover complies with specified characteristics. In- than 30 seconds, with a clear digital readout for surface
spection plans must be implemented and maintained. tension values.
The Kibron AquaPi+ is one such instrument, distributed
RepoRting and noticeS exclusively in Canada by Dynamix Inc. n
Each facility that performed a release test must continue to
submit to the Minister a report as previously outlined. Stewart Tymchuk, C.E.T., Dynamix Inc.

26 canadian FiniShing & coatingS manuFactuRing SeptembeR/octobeR 2020