Hexavalent yellow is the original yellow passivate over zinc, built on hexavalent chromium chemistry. It produces a strong gold iridescence and a durable chromate film with well-documented corrosion performance, which is why older drawings and some military and industrial specs still call for it by name.
Because it contains hexavalent chromium, hex yellow does not meet RoHS or ELV. Customers who need a RoHS compliant gold finish use our trivalent yellow instead.
When hexavalent yellow is the right call
- Your drawing or spec explicitly calls for hexavalent chromate.
- You are matching an existing finish on a legacy part.
- RoHS and ELV do not apply to the part.
If you are not sure which way your part has to go, send the print and we will read the call-out with you. When RoHS applies, trivalent yellow is the finish to use, and it covers most new work.
How we plate it
Hex yellow runs on both lines. Volume hardware goes through the barrel, and parts that need individual handling run on the rack. A plater watches the work at the tank, and finished parts are inspected by hand and kraft wrapped. Typical turnaround is about seven days, with expedite available.
Specs and corrosion targets
We plate hexavalent yellow to ASTM, military prints, and your own drawing. Send the zinc thickness and salt spray target you need, and we set the process to meet it. We plate under your ISO and quality system.