What environmental concerns should a customer have?
A. Electropolishing removes metal form the surface being re-finished. In the case of 300 series stainless steel (316, 316L, 304, 304L) chromium, nickle, and iron are removed and remain in the electrolyte being used. Initial rinse water used will also contain measurable amounts of these “heavy metals”. Any reputable electropolish service provider will identify these hazardous by-products and include proper collection and disposal responsibilities in their procedures. Any vendor who attempts to flush these by-products to a drain not directly upstream of an adequate treatment facility for the metals is risking a violation of EPA laws and placing the liability for such actions directly on the customer from which these materials were discharged. Q. My purchasing department requires comparison bids on work like this. A. The problem with the comparison bid approach is determining the qualifications of the parties being asked to do the work. Considering the risk associated with allowing inexpe
