What is Electropolishing?

1. Electropolishing in an anodic dissolution process in which the =etallic anode surface is smoothed and brightened under optimum conditions of =urrent density and temperature. 2. A method of polishing metal surfaces by applying an electric =urrent through an electrolytic bath in a process that is the reverse of =lating. 3. An electrolytic method of producing simultaneous brightening, =moothing, deburring, cleaning, and passivation on stainless steels. =nbsp;

Why is Electropolishing Used?

Benefits of Electropolishing
1. EP does something for stainless steel which cant be done =ny other way. 2. Simultaneously:

Deburrs Smoothes Brightens Passivates Redefines oxide layer Removes surface contaminants

Electropolish produces =he most spectacular results on 300 series stainless steels. The resulting finish =ften appears bright, shiny, and comparable to the mirror finishes of =E2bright chrome automotive parts. On 400 series stainless steels, the cosmetic =ppearance of the parts is less spectacular, but deburring, cleaning, and passivation are comparable. Solutions are available to electropolish most common =etals. Notable exceptions include cast alloys of zinc, aluminum, brass, bronze, =nd carbon steel. Investment cast stainless steels may also be difficult to electropolish to satisfactory finish unless parts are solution annealed =fter heat treating. In general, only the 200 and 300 series stainless steels, =ertain tool steels, copper, and some single-phase brass alloys can b e =lectropolished to mirror finishes. The principal effects on other types of metal are =eburring, smoothing, improvement of surface finish, and increased adhesion of =lated coatings. Electropolishing produces a combination of properties =hich can be achieved by no other method of surface finishing. Mechanical =rinding, belting, and buffing can produce beautiful mirror-like results on =tainless steel, but the processes are labor intensive and leave the

surface layer =distorted, highly stressed, but do not achieve the bright, lustrous =ppearance obtained by electropolishing. The corrosion resistance of =lectropolished stainless steel exceeds that of standard passivation processes. Electroplating can produce extremely bright finishes, =ut the finish is coating which can chip or wear off. Electroplated surfaces may =lso exhibit hydrogen embrittlement which must be stress-relieved in a =eparate step. Neither passivation nor electroplating can accomplish burr removal. Processes are available for chemical deburring and =rightening of steel and stainless steel, but these methods cannot match the surface =improvement produced by electropolishing. The corrosion resistance =roduced by such processes is decidedly inferior to that produced by =lectropolishing.

ELECTROPOLISHING PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

Electropolishing is =ccomplished in a series of wet processing steps using specially designed tanks, =imilar to electroplating or anodizing. The parts to be polished are mounted on a =ack or jig which is moved from tank to tank. The three major process steps of =he elctropolishing system are: &nb=p; &nbs=; = =nbsp; &=bsp; &n=sp; & nb=p; &nbs=; = =nbsp; &=bsp; &n=sp;

METAL PREPARATION:

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To remove all oils, lubricants, shop dirt, fingerprints, oxides, =nd other contaminants from the surface. Suitable methods include vapor =egreasing, alkaline and/or acid cleaning, spray washing, abrasive blasting, wire brushing, and other types of mechanical steps.

ELECTROPOLISH:

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To smooth, brighten, deburr, passivate, stress relieve, improve =urface profile, hygienically clean, reduce friction, increase corrosion =esistance. To remove and recover electropolishing solution.

POST TREATMENT:

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To remove chemical residues or byproducts of electropolishing and =o assist drying.

Electropolishing of Stainless Steel

Electropolishing is used as = replacement for mechanical finishing, polishing, buffing and mass =inishing. In addition to making a parts surface smoother, it is a more =isible means of brightening, deburring, passivating, stress relieving and otherwise =mproving the physical characteristics of most metals and alloys.

Completely Automated Process Line to Insure Consistent and =epeatable Quality Serving Industries from Aviation to Food Processing to =harmaceutical Small Parts, Large Quantity

What is Electropolishing?
Electropolishing is a process of =emoving metal from a work piece by the passage of electric current while the =ork is submerged in a specially designed electrolyte. The process is =ssentially the reverse of electroplating. In a plating system, metal ions are deposited =rom the solution onto the work piece; in an electropolishing system, the =ork piece itself is dissolved, adding metal ions to the solution. The work =iece is connected to the positive (or anodic) terminal, while the negative =cathodic) terminal is connected to a suitable conductor. Both positive and =egative terminals are submerged in the electrolyte, forming a complete =lectrical circuit. The current applied is direct (DC) current. The quantity =f metal removed from the work piece is proportional to the mount of =urrent applied and the time. In the course of electropolishing, burrs and other =projections become very high current density areas and are rapidly =issolved. The work piece is manipulated to control the amount of metal removal so =hat dimensional tolerances are maintained. In the case of stainless =teel alloys, an important effect is caused by differences in the rates of =emoval of the components of alloy. Iron and nickel atoms are more easily extracted =rom the crystal lattice than are chromium atoms. The electropolishing =rocess removes the nickel and the iron preferentially, leaving a surface rich =n chromium. This phenomenon imparts the important property of =E2passivation to electropolished surfaces.

Reasons for Electropolishing

Many products are electropolished =imply to remove fine burrs from stampings, machined surfaces, perforated sheet, =nd many other types of products. For large burrs, some mechanical grinding may =e required prior to electropolishing.

Electropolishing produces

excellent decorative =inishes for a wide range of stainless steel automotive, appliance, and household =roducts. The surface produced combines attractive appearance with improved =orrosion resistance. Electropolishing improves corrosion resistance by =educing surface area, eliminating occlusions, reducing free iron, and producing = passivating film of a corrosion resistant chromium oxide. The special =roperties of the oxide layer are of great importance in semiconductor and =harmaceutical applications requiring a clean, sanitary surface with little or no =endency to react with a liquid of gaseous chemical environment. Some steel =roducts, such as textile rolls, are electropolished prior to being plated with =ard chrome. The smoothing and leveling effect of the electropolishing causes =he chromium to deposit in a more regular fashion, improving the properties =f the plate and strengthening the bond with the substrate steel. Electropolishing also finds application in products =equiring smooth, low-friction operation. Products such as powdered =harmaceuticals, dyes, and other dry chemicals are processed with minimal losses due to the low =friction surface produced. A major application for =lectropolishing is in equipment for the manufacture and packaging of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products. The processing equipment is regularly treated =ith clean-in-place chemicals to remove traces of product =etween batches and to maintain sanitary conditions. Electropolished stainless steel offers a =urface which is readily cleaned by such processes.