processingdetails

Electropolishing

Electropolishing, also can be referred as electrochemical polishing or electrolytic polishing, is a kind of electrochemical process, which is similar to, but the reverse of, electroplating and widely used in the metallography field. It is an electrochemical process that removes material from a metallic workpiece, mostly applied to polish, passivate, and deburr metal parts. It is often described as the reverse of electroplating. Besides that, electropolishing also can be used in lieu of abrasive fine polishing in microstructural preparation.

In the process of electropolishing, the metal is removed ion by ion from the surface of the metal object being polished. Electrochemistry and the fundamental principles of electrolysis (Faraday's Law) replace traditional mechanical finishing techniques, including grinding, milling, blasting and buffing as the final finish. In basic terms, the metal objec t to be electropolished is immersed in an electrolyte and subjected to a direct electrical current. The object is maintained anodic, with the cathodic connection being made to a nearby metal conductor.