- Removes elemental Iron from the surface of stainless steel alloys, enhancing the chromium/nickel content resulting in dramatically improved resistance to corrosion.
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Electropolishing improves the near surface chemistry of stainless steel. Not only does it remove embedded particles and inclusions, it also improves the atomic ratios of the materials alloying elements. Electropolishing preferentially dissolves Iron from the material and leaves the surface with a higher relative concentration of Chromium. Upon exposure to oxygen, this improved surface will form a thicker and more uniform oxide layer with enhanced corrosion resistance properties.
Electropolished stainless steels are better suited to resist the onset of pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and microbiologically influenced corrosion.
- Improves surface smoothness by leveling micro peaks and valleys resulting in easier sterilization and maintenance of clean surface on medical, food and beverage, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
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Improved microfinishes can do more than improve the appearance of a part. Superior microfinishes can improve seals, lower friction, reduce real surface area, allow for easier sanitation, and improve heat and light reflection.
The roughness of a surface can be measured and quantified by a profilometer. A profilometer is an instrument that measures roughness by moving a diamond tipped stylus across a surface. A profilometer will produce a reading of the surface roughness in either micro-inches (μin) or micrometers (μm). The electropolishing process may improve a surface finish reading by up to 50%. Because electropolishing is not a surface coating, there is no risk of the surface distorting or peeling over time.
- Provides most superior form of passivation in stainless steel.
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Electropolishing removes surface material and, with it, surface contaminants. The process dissolves free Iron, inclusions, and embedded particles from the surface.
Electropolishing improves the near surface chemistry of stainless steel. Not only does it remove embedded particles and inclusions, it also improves the atomic ratios of the material's alloying elements. Electropolishing preferentially dissolves Iron from the material and leaves the surface with a higher relative concentration of Chromium. Upon exposure to oxygen, this improved surface will form a thicker and more uniform oxide layer with enhanced corrosion resistance properties.
As a result, electropolishing provides maximum corrosion resistance in stainless steel. Electropolished stainless steels are better suited to resist the onset of pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, localized galvanic corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and microbiologically influenced corrosion.
- Simultaneously removes burrs while parts are polished.
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Electropolishing is naturally suited for deburring. During the electropolishing process, the current density is greater at high points and lesser at the low points within the surfaces profile. The rate of the electrochemical reaction is directly proportionate to the current density. The increased current density at the raised points forces the material to dissolve faster at these points and thus tends to level the surface material. Electropolishing will simultaneously deburr and polish the surface.
Grinding, vibration and tumbling techniques are often not suited for highly detailed or fragile parts. An adequately controlled electropolishing process can remove burrs from such components. Because electropolishing is a non-mechanical process, there is no risk of distortion and the material hardness has no bearing on the processing time or cost.
Burr removal by electropolishing is limited to burr sizes of 0.002” or less. Larger burrs require a longer process time to achieve the adequate material removal. These material removal levels may affect critical dimensions of the component. Large burr removal can be accomplished by first mechanically polishing the component, then electropolishing.
- Less friction and surface drag are features of electropolished surfaces. This results in reduced product adhesion and ease of cleaning.
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The improved microfinish produced by electropolishing reduces product adhesion and contamination buildup. Reduced adhesion can limit product build up and significantly lengthen duty cycles. When cleaning is necessary, cleaning operations can be completed in less time and with less effort.
Electropolishing facilitates sterilization and maintenance of hygienically clean surfaces. Furthermore, electropolishing reduces the appearance of rouging on the inside surfaces of distillation columns, storage vessels, and distribution systems for hot purified water and clean steam.
- Removes stressed and disturbed layer of surface metal caused by cutting or mechanical finishing.
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Mechanical cutting, machining, handling and polishing will leave Iron and abrasive particles embedded within a material surface. These surface contaminates disrupt the formation of stainless steels' (and other corrosion resistant materials) naturally corrosion resistant oxide layer and are the origin of future corrosion. Electropolishing removes surface material and, with it, surface contaminants. Electropolishing dissolves free Iron, inclusions, and embedded particles from the surface.
- Improves surface brightness and reflectivity.
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The most striking benefit of electropolishing is the resulting lustrous surface. Electropolishing is a non-mechanical process. No tools come in contact with the piece so there is no risk of creating directional polishing lines. The material is treated electrochemically, leaving a microscopically smooth surface that is highly lustrous.
- Provides low resistance surface for welding
- Removes metallic and non-metallic inclusions unavoidably introduced during manufacturing.
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Mechanical cutting, machining, handling and polishing will leave Iron and abrasive particles embedded within a material surface. These surface contaminates disrupt the formation of stainless steels' (and other corrosion resistant materials) naturally corrosion resistant oxide layer and are the origin of future corrosion. Electropolishing removes surface material and, with it, surface contaminants. Electropolishing dissolves free Iron, inclusions, and embedded particles from the surface.
- Reveals flaws undetected by other means.
- Provides a reproducible micro-hardness measurement on the part’s surface.
- Economical polishing of large numbers of small parts and configurations that are inaccessible to mechanical polishing.
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Electropolishing is better than buffing and machine tumbling because it removes metal ions from the part’s surface through electrolytic action rather than by mechanical means. Eliminating the surface damage and distortion which can result from hand rubbing and tumbling, electropolishing can achieve uniform surface finishes down to RA2, depending on the part configuration. This process is ideal for finishing odd-shaped parts and for reaching interior surfaces.
- Aesthetically appealing chrome-like appearance for formed sheet metal components without the high costs and environmental disadvantages of chrome plating.
