Much of the high cost of chroming is actually prepping the part for plating. I'm sure its quite expensive to dispose of the waste, but I also suspect if you look at your bill, there will be a haz-waste fee itemized on the cost.
BTW we have had several platers around here that caused all kinds of problems, so the horror stories can be true.
I think most engine machine shops have dropped the "hot tank" even though they still use the term. Again, this is because of environmental regulations, but I'm not sure why a hot tank would be a bad thing. Caustic can be neutralized fairly easily. Meybe it leaves metals in the mix.
BTW we have had several platers around here that caused all kinds of problems, so the horror stories can be true.
I think most engine machine shops have dropped the "hot tank" even though they still use the term. Again, this is because of environmental regulations, but I'm not sure why a hot tank would be a bad thing. Caustic can be neutralized fairly easily. Meybe it leaves metals in the mix.