REACH - Applications for authorisation AFA029-01 - Chromium trioxide

Overview

Public consultation on alternatives

Reference: AFA029-01

Applicant: 

Boeing Distribution (UK) Inc
Henkel Ltd
MacDermid Performance Solutions UK Ltd
Wesco Aircraft EMEA Ltd

Application type: Initial

Substance name: Chromium Trioxide – (includes “Acids generated from chromium trioxide and their oligomers", when used in aqueous solutions).

EC Number: 215-607-8

CAS Number: 1333-82-0

Proposed use: Electroplating using chromium trioxide in aerospace and defence industry and its supply chains.

Broad information on use applied for (conditions of use and function): 

Chromium trioxide (Cr(VI)) is used in the aerospace and defence industries (comprising of the civil aviation, defence/security, and space industries, along with aeroderivative products). It has a role within the electroplating process- a surface treatment process in which an electrochemical method is used to create a wear resistant metal coating on a substrate (e.g., steel). This provides the following key functions: wear resistance, hardness, layer thickness, corrosion resistance, coefficient of friction, and effect on surface morphology.

Electroplating is used on a broad range of aerospace and defence components, including landing gear and control components, weapon barrels, wheel axles and jet turbine engine components. This process is usually combined with both pre-treatments (e.g., degreasing, etching) and post-treatment (e.g. thermal treatment for hydrogen de-embrittlement).

The applicants have identified a shortlist of potentially suitable alternatives. Due to the complexity of design challenges, performance requirements, safety requirements and regulatory controls that must be tested for each listed alternative, and the need for industrial implementation in the whole supply chain, the applicant is seeking a review period of 12 years. 

The “applied for use” involves the continued use of chromium trioxide at approximately 25 sites across Great Britain (GB).

List of descriptors:

• Sector of end use (SU): SU 0 -Other: Aerospace and defence industry and its supply chains
• Environmental release category (ERC): 6b
• Process category (PROC): PROC 0, PROC 5, PROC 8b, PROC 9, PROC 13, PROC 15, PROC 28 
• Product category (PC): 14: Metal surface treatment products 
• Article Category related to subsequent service life (AC): N/A 
• Technical Function: Other- Wear resistance; Corrosion resistance including active corrosion inhibition ("self-healing"); Chemical resistance; Adhesion promotion (adhesion to subsequent coating or paint); Layer thickness

Annual tonnage used: 

• 100 tonnes/year

Review period requested: 12 years

How to submit comments

Provide some basic information on possible alternative(s) in the online survey below but more detailed information should be provided in document(s) prepared using the commenting templates in the related section below. A “public version” should always be completed and will be published after the consultation has closed. If you want to include confidential information in your submission, please additionally complete a “confidential version” and submit both versions as attachments.

The consultation lasts for 8 weeks (unless otherwise specified) and closes at 23:59 London time (BST).