AN ECO-FRIENDLY PROCESS FOR THE REMOVAL OF CORROSION PRODUCTS ON LEAD amp; LEAD ALLOYS BY ELECTROLYTIC CLEANING USING NATURAL SEAWATER

摘要

In the present invention there is provided an eco-friendly process for the removal of corrosion products on lead and lead alloys by electrolytic cleaning using natural seawater, which comprises the removal of corrosion products from lead and lead alloy surfaces (intricate components and inaccessible parts) as a means of surface preparation, prior to the processes of surface treatment or end uses. The process of the present invention essentially consists of using natural seawater as the electrolyte, adjusting the pH of the electrolyte between 6 to 9 and subjecting the part(s) to be cleaned to cyclic polarity reversal (cathodic and anodic) at a current density of 400 A/m2 to the maximum threshold value under ambient temperature conditions, using an inert auxiliary electrode, wherein the inert auxiliary electrode is a more noble metal than the part(s) to be cleaned and having repassivation characteristics.[IN-DEL-2003-00637A]