Parker Announces Switch to Chromium-6 Free Plating for Metal Products, Resulting in a Technically Superior Plating that is More Environmentally Friendly
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WICKLIFFE, Ohio, July 24, 2006 - The Hose Products Division of Parker Hannifin today announced that it will be changing its plating to a process that no longer uses hexavalent chromium (Cr6), a substance that has been deemed environmentally hazardous. In its ongoing efforts to produce more environmentally friendly products and comply with EU restrictions on the use of hexavalent chromium in various products, Parker Hose Products is making a global switch to a new Chromium-6 Free plating.
The Commission of the European Communities (EU) has developed several restrictions pertaining to the use of hexavalent chromium in various products, and has classified it as an environmentally hazardous substance. Although the directives are currently focused on Europe, it also affects product/equipment manufactured in North America destined for sale in Europe. North American transportation manufacturers are also driving for the specification change, as they prefer to work to global standards.
Currently, Parker's plating process for metal products contains hexavalent chromium, identifiable by the "gold" appearance of its existing fittings.
The Chromium-6 Free plating, which is silver in appearance, is more environmentally friendly; offers improved corrosion protection from current specifications; requires no changes in assembly procedures; and requires no changes to the existing assembly torques. It has minimum corrosion resistance of 120 salt-spray hours to first white and 240 salt-spray hours to first red; and product-specific corrosion resistance of 200 salt-spray hours to first white and 500 salt-spray hours to first red.
The plating change will be applicable to all steel Parker Hose fittings, with the process of converting all steel parts to the Chromium-6 Free plating starting in July of calendar year 2006. Parts will be shipped in boxes identifying the product as "Chromium-6 Free."
"Parker is pleased to offer the Chromium-6 Free plating on a global basis," said Mike Matthews of Parker's Hose Products Division. "Our customers will receive a technically superior product that is safer for the environment."
For a copy of Bulletin 3400-B20-US describing the plating change for metal products to Chromium-6 Free, contact:
Parker Catalog Services,
8940 Tyler Blvd.,
Mentor, Ohio 44060,
(440) 205-7799,
toll-free 1-800-C-PARKER,
www.parkerhose.com
The Hose Products Division is a unit of Parker Hannifin Corporation's Fluid Connectors Group. The Group is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and is the world's leading producer of tube fittings, rubber and thermoplastic hose and fittings, brass fittings and valves, quick-connect couplings, and assembly tools.
With annual sales exceeding $8 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 55,000 people in 46 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 50 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com, or its investor information site at www.phstock.com.
Contact:
Mike Matthews,
Hose Products Division
Phone: (440) 943-5700
E-mail: mmatthews@parker.com
