Webinars

Ask the Expert Webinars

Our webinars are extremely popular in the industry, drawing a global audience and delivering expertise and relevant information that resonates with plating shop owners, OEMs, engineers, lab techs, and more. Register for our upcoming webinar now or view our previous webinars on-demand.

Recent Webinar! Decorative Trivalent Plating: Choosing Between Chloride and Sulfate

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After years of speculation and discussion, several factors have recently aligned to jumpstart a rapid industry movement in the switch from decorative hexavalent to trivalent plating. Across the industry, process and color standards are being adapted, RFQ’s are circulating, and OEMs need shops who are equipped and ready. Applicators facing the decision-making process need to be prepared. There are a variety of conversations taking place globally and throughout the automotive industry on the use of sulfate vs. chloride and this webinar will address that discussion head on, reviewing the pros and cons of each. Columbia Chemical delved into the extensive field study tests outlining performance, color stability and corrosion results and provided an evaluation of new heat treatment data comparing the systems. Finally, it provided an operational overview and cost comparison to aid in the decision making. Applicators, OEMs and Tier Suppliers, Design and Materials Engineers, and Quality Control will all benefit from this presentation.

Primary Topics:

Review of the Pros and Cons of Chloride vs. Sulfate
Extensive Field-Testing Overview
Evaluation of NEW Heat Treatment Data
Line Adjustments: Installation and Operational Overview and Cost Comparison

On-Demand Webinars

Below you will find a collection of our past webinars; all of which are still available on-demand.

2022: The Future of Finishes: Zinc Nickel and Other Alloys

The benefits and appeal of zinc nickel to a variety of industries
The role of zinc nickel and tin zinc in the electric vehicle market
A comparison of the advantages of acid vs. alkaline zinc nickel
Review of passivate finish options and torque tension modifiers

2021: The Switch from Decorative Hexavalent to Trivalent Plating is Happening – Will You Be Ready?

Examine the history and longevity of trichrome
Explore current and pending regulations
In-depth comparison of hexavalent, trivalent, and trivalent with reclaim in regards to performance, color, and cost
Presentation of case study

2020: Comparing Operational and Performance Characteristics of Chloride and Sulfate-Based Decorative Trivalent Plating

Performance comparison of chloride vs. sulfate-based decorative trivalent systems
Review of color stability testing as presented in USCAR field test summary
Evaluation of corrosion testing results of the two systems
Operational differences in plating speed and anode type/cost and efficiency

2019: Trivalent Chromium Process Capability Study for OEMs

Origin of Test Matrix and OEM Requested Variables
Performance Evaluation of various Trivalent Chrome thicknesses
Nickel Plating STEP Value Influence on Corrosion
In-depth look at CASS and Russian Mud testing results and comparison
Summary of Recent USCAR field test results

2018: Hexavalent to Trivalent: Making the Switch

Regulations
Overview/Process comparison
An in-depth look at the conversion from hex to trivalent chromium plating
Cost analysis on waste treatment savings
Case Study