Reduction of mist
Significant reduction of Cr(VI) mist in the work area, reducing emissions, exposure and contamination
Non-PFOS, non-PFAS & fluorine-free
Outperforms existing processes in NESHAP stack tests (2 to 4 times lower in Cr6+ emissions).
EPA, CEPA and REACH compliant
Superior performance
Stable, easy to handle and control resulting in superior performance and a wide operating window
- Non-PFAS, non-PFOS and fluorine-free
- Substantial reduction of chromic acid misting during operation (passes NESHAP tests)
- Reduced risk of contamination of adjacent plating solutions by chromic acid fumes
- Can increase life of ventilation system and other plating line equipment
- Controllable dense foam blanket thickness
- Better control and balance due to 2-component solution
- For functional and decorative chrome plating
- Easy monitoring and control through surface tension measurement
- Surface tension measurement possible with ring or plate tensiometer
Fumalock®
Fluorine-free, non-PFOS, non-PFAS fume suppressant
Fumalock® is a highly effective fume suppressing process which is based on surface active components for application in hexavalent chromium plating baths. It is designed to form a dense layer of foam that acts as barrier to prevent the release of hazardous aerosols. The non-PFAS, non-PFOS and flurione-free process provides an excellent balance between controlled foam formation and surface tension reduction.
Fumalock® achieves two to four times lower values of emissions compared to existing processes. The process provides an excellent balance between a controlled foam blanket and the reduction of surface tension to values below 40 (30 – 37) mN/m. It exhibits a wide operating window and an adjustable foam blanket thickness. Additionally, the fume suppressant possesses strong resistance to hard water and excellent tolerance to metal impurities.
Fumalock®’s effective reduction of chromic acid mist during the plating operation facilitates a safer working environment, and also reduces the possibility of contaminating peripherals around the plating tank by chromic acid fumes. As a result, it helps to increase the longevity of plating equipment and related ventilation systems.
What inspires us
Why we developed Fumalock®
Your challenge
During functional and decorative chromium plating, a significant amount of gas bubbles are generated at the anodes and cathodes, which produce a mist containing Cr6+. This mist poses a serious health hazard to personnel working at the plating line and also contaminates the environment and equipment near the plating tank. For this reason, legislation in some countries leads to a ban of Cr6+ compounds until September 2024. In the context of health and environmental protection in the surface industry, corresponding restrictions also regulate the use of non-degradable substances such as PFOS and PFAS.
Our solution
Fumalock® is MKS’ Atotech latest development to meet the challenges of the stringent new environmental legislation and the first non-PFAS, fluorine-free fume suppressant for hard chrome processes on the global market.
Fumalock® drastically reduces the surface tension to 30 – 37 mN/m and thereby suppresses the emerging mist. Through the formation of a dense thickness foam barrier layer prevention of the mist and Cr(VI) emissions is achieved. Fumalock® also reduces the contamination of the equipment in the vicinity of the plating tank and is able to facilitate a more HES&Q compliant working environment.
On-demand webinar
Learn more about our First fluorine-free, non-PFOS, non-PFAS fume suppressant
In recent years, functional chrome plating has come under enormous pressure from the environmental agencies in North America and Europe to limit the discharge of certain substances such as chromic acid and PFOS/PFAS fume suppressants. With Fumalock® we have developed a fume suppressing process for functional hard chrome which is easier to control, operate and can comply with non-PFOS and non-PFAS legislation and directives. Fumalock® provides effective reduction of chromic acid mist during the plating operation, facilitates a safer working environment and can reduce the possibility of contaminating peripherals around the plating tank by chromic acid fumes. Fumalock® can achieve up to two times lower values of emissions compared to existing processes.
