Electropolishing of stainless steels

General and areas of application

Electropolishing is an electrochemical process mainly for chromium and chromium-nickel steels.

Carbon steels, as well as low-alloy steels and other ferrous materials, can in principle also be treated with this process, but the decorative effects are not achieved as with chromium-nickel steels.

E-polishing is a metal-removing process in which the product is connected as an anode. High and low current densities can be used in this electrolyte.

Material condition and surface condition are decisive for the optimum e-polishing effect. Likewise, alloy components, material condition during manufacturing (hardness, etc.) noticeably influence the metal removal during e-polishing. The suitability of material structure and material surface can only be determined by appropriate sample processing.

Deposits of non-polishable materials, rolling defects, mechanical damage, etc. cannot be compensated by e-polishing. E-polishing is a fine finishing process. Coarse and rough surfaces should preferably be pretreated by appropriate mechanical processes.

Due to the process of electrochemical metal removal, the removal takes place preferentially at the current-favored points. This circumstance makes e-polishing suitable for fine deburring and light edge rounding, especially when working with high current densities. The shape and the connection of the burr to the workpiece are largely decisive for deburring.

By using specially designed cathodes, targeted metal removal is possible, but only in the range of a macro ablation.

Special processing of apparatus engineering and e-polishing the inside of tanks.

Areas of application

Medical technical articles

Medical technology parts are e-polished to achieve a smoother surface in the microprofile.

The purpose of the smoothed surface is to prevent adhesion of various medical fluids with which the e-polished parts come into contact. (The parts can be better cleaned and/or sterilized.) The optical effect also plays a major role.

Household items

The parts mostly made of stainless steel sheet, such as pot and pan handles, are sharp-edged and unattractive from the surface after mechanical production.

E-polishing deburrs the parts and creates a high-gloss surface.

Metalworking industry

Screws, nuts and other small components made of stainless steel are e-polished for optical reasons.

A shiny surface is obtained and at the same time later corrosion is prevented, because small steel particles are removed from the tools of the previous machining.