|
Electropolishing
can be loosely defined as a metal removal process that takes the outer
surface layer off of a part being processed to improve its finish,
de-burr, clean and or change the final outer surface chemistry of the
part.
The process is motivated by chemistry and electricity in
an charged electrolytic bath. The most common metals commercially
electropolished are copper, aluminum, and most of the 300 series of
stainless steels with the exception of 303 stainless steel because of its
high sulfur content.
The
process is widely used by many high technology industries on stainless
steel because if its ability to not only clean a part but to increase it
corrosion resistance. The cleaning comes from the material removal aspect
of the process. The polishing comes from the electrolytic action at the
heart of the process having a preference for removing the high spots due
to naturally occurring charge concentrations. The corrosion resistance
comes from the preferential removal of free iron in the part and the
creation of a chromium oxide layer on the part as a result of the
chemistry that occurs during the process.
SiVad
has helped many customers develop electropolishing for their production
needs and we have assisted customers understand the importance of
consistent material procurement, machining, and handling procedures prior
to final finishing.
Electropolishing
is considered to be one of the most antiseptic and clean surfaces
available to industry and is incorporated where clean and ultra clean
standards and
protocols
are paramount. Electropolished surfaces are passivated and be
re-passivated repeatably without significant degradation of the chemical
resistant surfaces or finish.
|
