• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2004

Hard chromium coating technology using hexavalent chromium bath is widely used in various industries. Because of the serious health and environmental problems of hexavalent chromium, many attempts to alternate the hexavalent chromium plating have been made over 50 years. Trivalent chromium plating is one of the challengeable technologies to alternate hexavalent chromium plating. It is relatively none-toxic. Although some papers have described hard chromium coatings produced from trivalent chromium solution, it has limited the industrialization because of chemical and electrochemical problems of trivalent chromium ions. This paper introduces a number of factors for successful trivalent chromium plating, to give a some information about trivalent chromium process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2002

Recently, pilot studies showed an evidence of reduction of airborne hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), on PVC filter during air sampling and storage. However, the information on this in the field was limited. Thus, we studied the reduction behaviors of airborne Cr(VI) on PVC filters during sampling and storage at three field electroplating operations. Regression between sampling time and the reduction (ratio of Cr(VI) to total Cr concentrations) was not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the reductions in samples collected for 240 ～ 340 minutes were significantly higher than those for 30 - 60 minutes. On the other hand, another experiment showed a good correlation (r=0.96) between sampling time and the reduction without an exceptional value. Storage temperature was not a factor affecting the reduction of Cr(VI) collected on PVC filter. The loss of Cr(VI) samples stored in alkali solution (2% NaOH/3% Na$_2$CO$_3$) was significantly lower than that stored in vial according to NIOSH method (p<0.05). Thus, dipping Cr(VI) samples into alkali solution was a storage method to minimize tile reduction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1995

The exposure levels of chromium and nickel for chromeplating workers were evaluated. Chromium and nickel concentrations in urine and serum from 82 exposed workers and 69 controls, who were not exposed occupationally to metals, were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were as follows: 1. Chromium concentrations in urine of exposed group and control were $3.49{\pm}1.83g/g$ of creatinine, $5.59{\pm}2.83g/g$ of creatinine, and in serum were $0.69{\pm}0.30g/l$, $2.31{\pm}1.16g/l$ respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for chromium in urine and serum by group respectively. 2. Nickel concentrations in urine of exposed group and control were $0.92{\pm}0.23g/g$ of creatinine, $2.20{\pm}1.93g/g$ of creatinine, and serum concentrations were $0.52{\pm}0.34g/l$, $1.41{\pm}0.74g/l$ respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for nickel in serum by groups statistically. 3. Chromium and nickel concentrations in urine and serum of exposed groups were not significant by workplaces(grinding, electroplants, packaging).

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.215-220
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• 1981

The surface appearance of chromium electrodeposit was studied by employing a pulse curr-ent plating in self-regulating high speed (SRHS) bath containing 20 g/$\ell$, K2SiF6 7.5 g/$\ell$ SrSO4 and 250 g/$\ell$ CrO3. As the pulse frequency increased, the surface appearance changed suddenly from bright a-ppearance in a direct current plating condition to gray one in the range of pulse frequency less than about 20KHz. However the bright appearance is recovered as the pulse frequen-cy exceeded 20 KHz. This phenomena seemed to be related with the preferred orientation of electrodeposits, considering the relationship between the preferred orientation of elect-rodeposits and surface appearance in a SRHS bath. Direct current plating was also applied to both Sargent and SRHS bath and investigat-ion on surface appearance was extended to the high current density of 400 A/dm2. In a Sa-rgent bath, the increase in bath temperature was necessary for bright appearance as the current density was increased within 150 A/dm2, but bright region was shown in the cons-tant temperature of 70-75$^{\circ}C$ above the current density of 150A/dm2. On the other hand, two regions of surface brightness was found in a SRHS bath. One is region in the low temperature less than 25$^{\circ}C$ and the other in the moderate temperature range from 55$^{\circ}C$ to 65$^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2022

Presence of cracks in electrodeposited hard chromium layer, which provide a path of corrosive media to steel substrate, is a serious issue in metal finishing with chromium electroplating. In this study, we added sodium molybdate in an electrolyte for chromium electroplating bath. 130g/L of sodium molybdate in Sargent bath for chromium electroplating causes a codepostion of molybdenum with chromium in a rage of 0.61 ~ 3.14 wt.%. The co-deposited molybdenum enhances the crystallinity of chromium layer, thus the hardness is slightly decreases by the addition of molybdate in electrolyte. However, due to the co-deposition of molybdenum, a crack-free chromium layer could be electrodeposited. Such crack-free chromium layer shows a significantly improved corrosion resistance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the exposure level of airborne hexavalent chromium in the plating industry and the exposure level compared to domestic and international occupational exposure limits. Methods: A total 92 samples were collected from ten industrial plating sites. Hexavalent chromium samples were collected using a three-stage cassette equipped with a 37 mm, 5 ㎛ pore size PVC filter. The analysis was performed by ion chromatography. Results: The geometric mean of hexavalent chromium concentration in the plating industry was 0.052 ㎍/m², and it was found that the average exposure level was 0.8 times the South Korean exposure limit. When applying the US ACGIH TLV, however, the average concentration was more than twice as high. Conclusions: The South Korean exposure limit for hexavalent chromium needs to be strengthened due to significant differences in exposure levels according to domestic and international occupational exposure limits. Furthermore, respiratory and dermal sensitization should be labeled.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 1977

This is a result of clinical examination for workers working with Chromic acid and Chromium compounds in the plating room of their companies. I selected two companies that the plating process and the kinds of plating were similar. One (SW Co.) was more or less improved the operating environment with the ventilation machine so on and another (SR Co.) did not it so. The former was examined at March 29th 1977, the latter was at June 28th 1976. But the respiratory communicable diseases, flue or common cold so on were not spreaded there at that time. The clinical aspects were compared between the group of SW, and SR. The swelling and hyperemic signs of nasal mucous membrane and the experience of nasal bleeding were about 50%, generally, in all the groups. The following problem was dizziness or vertigo. The nasal signs in the group of SW (improved ventilation of the room air) were relatively weak, but in another, it was some what severe; - there was necrotic sign with thick nasal clast. They were only used of gauze mask when the vapors of various solvents were deeply full in the room. And there was very high rate of bronchial signs, sputum or coughing in the group of SW improved ventilation so called, than another one. I suppose that it means chronic inflammatory change of the bronchial mucous membrane with deeper signs, due to the individual protectors were carelessly or not used according to the improving of the operating environment. Theses nasal signs mentioned the above were not nearly in the other groups had not been done the Chromium plating. The Status of RBC, Hb and Ht, of urine protein and urobilinogen were mostly in normal range. But the number of WBC was more or less showed with a positive correlation to the working duration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1381-1389
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• 2007

Wastewater discharged by industrial activities of metal finishing and electroplating units is often contaminated by a variety of toxic or otherwise harmful substances which have a negative effects on the water environment. The treatment method of heavy metal-cyanide complexes wastewater by alkaline chlorination have already well-known($1^{st}$ Oxidation: pH 10, reaction time 30 min, ORP 350 mV, $2^{nd}$ Oxidation: ORP 650 mV). In this case, the efficiency for the removal of ferro/ferri cyanide by this general alkaline chlorination is very high as 99%. But the permissible limit of Korean waste-water discharge couldn't be satisfied. The initial concentration of cyanide was 374 mg/L(the Korean permissible limit of cyanide is 1.0 mg/L max.). So a particular focus was given to the treatment of heavy metal-cyanide complexes wastewater by $Zn^{+2}/Fe^{+2}$ ion and coprecipitation after alkaline chlorination. And we could meet the Korean permissible limit of cyanide(the final concentration of cyanide: 0.30 mg/L) by $Zn^{+2}/Fe^{+2}$ ion and coprecipitation(reaction time: 30 min, pH: 8.0, rpm: 240). The removal of Chromium ion by reduction(pH: 2.0 max, ORP: 250 mV) and the precipitation of metal hydroxide(pH: 9.5) is treated as 99% of removal efficiency. The removal of Copper and Nickel ion has been treated by $Na_2S$ coagulation-flocculation as 99% min of the efficiency(pH: $9.09\sim10.0$, dosage of $Na_2S:0.5\sim3.0$ mol). It is important to note that the removal of ferro/ferri cyanide of heavy metal-cyanide complexes wastewater should be employed by $Zn^{+2}/Fe^{+2}$ ion and coprecipitation as well as the alkaline chlorination for the Korean permissible limit of waste-water discharge.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.3-9
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• 2007

Although the ferrous material was separated by the magnetic separation before the incineration process, the municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash generated during incinerator in metropolitan area consists of many iron products which account for about $3{\sim}11%$ as well as ceramics and glasses. The formation of $NiFe_2O_4$ and $FeCr_2O_4$ with a $Fe_3O_4-Fe_2O_3$ (similar to pure Fe) on the surface of iron product was found during air-annealing in the incinerator at $1000^{\circ}C$, because Ni and Cr has a chemical attraction about iron is using to coat with Ni and Cr metals for poish or to prevent corrosion. Therefore, Fe-Ni Cr oxide can be formed on durface of the iron product and it can be separated from bottom ash through the magnetic separation. So, in this study, the separation ratio of heavy metals as magnetic separation and mineralogical formation of Fe-ion(heavy metal) in ferrous metals corroded were investigated. As the result, the separation ratio of Ni and Cr based on particle sizes accounted for about $45{\sim}50%$, and Cu and Pb accounted for below 20%. Also, the leaching concentration of Ni and Cr in bottom ash separated by magnetic separation was lower than that in fresh bottom ash.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine characteristics of workers' exposures to airborne total and hexavalent chromium by job title in electroplating processes. Methods: Total Cr was determined through a modified method based on NIOSH Method 7024. Airborne hexavalent Cr, Cr(VI), was sampled and extracted according to NIOSH Method 7600 and analyzed at 520 nm using an ion chromatograph/visible detector. Results: The geometric mean(GM) of total Cr concentrations from all factories was $11.2{\mu}g/m^3$(GSD=4.9). The GM of Cr(VI) concentrations from all factories was $2.84{\mu}g/m$ (GSD=5.2), and the concentrations among factories were significantly different (p<0.05). The Cr(VI) levels were lower than total Cr levels. Total Cr exposure levels were highest among buffing workers ($21.6{\mu}g/m^3$), but Cr(VI) levels were highest among plating workers($4.15{\mu}g/m^3$). The concentrations of Cr(VI) and total Cr from plating tasks was highly correlated(r=0.91). Conclusions: In the electroplating industry, plating workers were mainly exposed to Cr(VI), but others were not. Oxidation-reduction states of Cr and job titles should be considered in the exposure or risk assessments of chrome electroplating factories.