Sanitary fittings have to be polished before entering the electroplating baths. Therefore manufacturers of sanitary fittings have special compound requirements.

Degreasability.

Solid compounds and emulsions must not form deposits in areas of the workpiece which are difficult to degrease (e.g. in threads). Compound residues must be easy to remove in low temperature degreasing baths. Residues on polished parts have to be minimised in order to prolong the operating life of the degreasing bath. Carryover of compounds into the galvanic baths can destabilise the electroplating process.

Eco friendliness.

Brass pieces are usually polished with tripoli emulsions. As opposed to polishing alumina tripoli is a natural polishing mineral which requires the use of biocides to stop mildew formation. Formaldehyde used to be seen as the most effective biocide for this purpose. Because of the health hazards involved with the use of formaldehyde, Menzerna has replaced formaldehyde by an eco-friendly biocide in all formulations as of January 1st. 2007.