Why electropolishing?
Depending on the size of the electropolishing unit, numerous parts can be treated at the same time, resulting in a high throughput and less labour costs.
After treatment in the bath, electropolished parts are completely free of grease. Therefore, cleaning and degreasing, which are necessary after mechanical polishing can be omitted. Furthermore, electropolished parts provide a good adhesive primer for subsequent electroplated layers.
Examples of workpieces
Electrolytic polishing opens new possibilities for parts which cannot or can hardly be mechanically polished because they are not accessible (wire products) or would suffer deformations during mechanical polishing due to low material thickness. Embossed or satin-finished parts may be electropolished without changing the fine-structure, as it would be the case with the pressure of a polishing disc. Ablation or polishing of hard metals can be easily achieved with electrolytic polishing, too. Surfaces of electropolished parts from stainless chromium-nickel or chromium steel are not only easy to keep clean and hygienic thanks to their smooth surface, they are also more resistant to corrosion, being passivated at the same time.
Friction loss can also be reduced by electrolytic polishing, for example in shafts, spindles, gear wheels etc.
There is a wide range of applications which are too numerous to mention here. We would therefore ask you to let us have your parts for trial treatment in our workshop, in order to verify the application possibility and the specific advantages of the electrolytic polishing process.
How does it work?
in theory
Electropolishing is an electro-chemical process. The workpieces to be polished or deburred are used as the anode in a specially formulated polishing bath for some minutes. Metal is then abraded from the surface. Due to the composition of the polishing liquid and the selection of the correct current density, a levelling of the surface and a gloss effect occur. A fine deburring and polishing effect can mostly be achieved in parallel, often a descaling effect, too.
in practice
The parts to be electropolished are fixed on jigs, similar to galvanizing. The jigs are then hung into the electropolishing bath. After 1 - 15 minutes, depending on the surface condition of the parts, the type of metal and the demands on the surface, the parts are taken out of the bath, rinsed with water and dried, if there is no further galvanic treatment.
The operation does not require specialist knowledge and little maintenance. Our baths are reliable, non-hazardous (not explosive or inflammable) and nearly without odour nuisance. Ensure good ventilation. The baths are economical with regard to durability and consumption of electrolyte as well as waste water treatment.