Electropolishing

Key Benefits

• Smoother surfaces, harder for micro-organisms to cling to
• Surface friction is reduced so liquids drain away easier, allowing less residual wetting
• Flaw detection, surface irregularities covered over by mechanical polishing are exposed
• Passivation, ferrite is reduced in the passive or outermost layer. This reduces incidence of roughing and enhances corrosion resistance
• Almost any metal can be electropolished. The metal can be ferrous or non-ferrous

Electropolishing

Stated simply, electropolishing is the controlled electro chemical removal of surface metal, producing a bright and microscopically smooth surface with improved physical properties. Also referred to as electrochemical polishing or sometimes described as "reverse plating," or "Super Passivation", the process has a leveling effect, which produces smoothness and increased reflectivity. More importantly, the deformed, amorphous outer layer of the metal is removed, leaving a chromium-rich, passive surface free of imbedded contaminants and work-induced residual stresses. The process is completely safe, and doesn’t cause pitting or etching, and in contrast to pickling or acidic cleaning, does not produce hydrogen embrittlement. Our available equipment will handle up to 36-inches, and a maximum weight capacity of 80 lbs.

Surface profile of work piece before electropolishing.	Before		Action of electropolishing demonstrating the leveling effect and chrome-enriched surface layer.	After

Electropolishing is a common process to obtain a passive smooth surface free of contaminants and more passive, with improved cleaning which allows for minimizing the foreign body response and cell adhesion, sterilization, and increased corrosion resistance properties.

The major industries served are medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, military, food and beverage. Electropolishing is also suitable for polishing of molds and dies.