For anyone who might be following this thread. There was a process change where the new lubricating soap had a higher pH. We also found high bacteria counts in the old rust inhibitor solution (prior to dumping the bath, cleaning the tank and making a new batch of inhibitor). When either of...
Excellent question, I wish I could answer it definitively. We don't know of a specific test to determine if the wire has the inhibitor on it. Visually (under a microscope) I have compared (1)wire that has not been through the inhibitor (2) "good" wire that has and (3) rusted wire that has...
Thank you both for your comments. The plant has already played with variables in the process and storage environment. They have tasked us specifically to investigate the contamination side of the issue since our firm has a lab.
tnatale, they are thinking along the same lines as you are...
Problem: Customer produces drawn steel wire. It is rusting after being outside for one day. Rust inhibitor claims protection for 1 year. Problem just started recently.
Goal: Figure out why and put measures in place to prevent problem in the future.
Current Info: Obviously, water and...