Specifications

  • ASTM B-912
  • ISO 15730

Electropolishing Cleans and Polishes Metal

Our Electropolishing process cleans and polishes stainless steel in a special electrochemical solution. Electrical current passes through a chemical bath, dissolving a small amount of metal from the surface, leaving a smooth, shiny finish. The current is greatest on the outside edges and corners of parts, which are left especially smooth. Increasing the process time will remove more metal. Holes can be enlarged, threads can be rounded, and sharp edges or burrs can be reduced. Electropolishing is an excellent finishing process for fine parts because no vibrating or tumbling is involved.

Because the part is bathed in oxygen, hydrogen is removed from the surface, thereby acting as a stress relieving anneal. In addition, the electropolished surface is free of hydrogen which greatly reduces the possibility of bacterial growth. Electropolishing is the best choice when contamination can not be tolerated.

Electropolishing can be performed on Nitronic 60 and on 17-4 and 300 series stainless steel. We are not setup to electropolish 400 series stainless steel parts.

Wearability:

Components subjected to repeated stress, such as springs and delicate stampings, have a tendency to prematurely crack and wear. Removing surface defects by electropolishing may prolong service life. Electropolishing can salvage oversized gears and splines – which often “grow” during heat treating – by restoring them to their original size.

Applications:

Electropolishing is ideal for medical devices and dental devices. Other applications include: food processing and food handling equipment, semiconductor equipment, springs, delicate stampings, gears and splines. Electropolishing is not right for every part, so it is important to consult one of our application specialist about new applications you are considering.

Electropolishing Features:

Finish

Electropolishing’s primary function is to improve parts cosmetically. It cleans, polishes and brightens stainless steel in a way that no other process can and also removes small burrs. The results, easily visible to the naked eye, make extra finishing operations and costs unnecessary. Intricate components requiring microfinishes are greatly improved. As a result, friction, leakage and wear problems can be eliminated.

Corrosion Resistance

Stainless steel, although known for its excellent corrosion resistance, may still corrode when impurities are left on the surface of the metal. Electropolishing dissolves a minute layer of the part’s surface metal. Impurities are removed and the surface is left brighter, ultra passive and protected from rust.