Original Date: 06/02/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Sharretts previously used acid for stripping its defective zinc-plated parts. However, this method created excessive foaming. The company now uses an alkaline stripper which works well in this application. The stripper is an alkaline powder that is dissolved in water. The parts are treated by immersing them into the stripper solution. Within a minute, the solution will remove 0.0005 inch of zinc plating from the part.

Since it produces no black smut during the stripping process, the stripper is very effective for stripping barrel-plated parts. In addition, the stripper does not generate irritating or corrosive fumes, and will not tarnish or etch the finest steel finish. Springs and other hardened stock may be stripped without endangering hardness because hydrogen embrittlement will not occur as a result of using this stripper. As a long lasting solution, the stripper only needs to be discarded when the dissolved zinc exceeds one pound per gallon. Once this occurs, the stripper solution is neutralized (pH 7 to 8), and then disposed into the sewer. By switching to an alkaline stripper, Sharretts has improved its stripping process for zinc-plated parts.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.