Manufacturers of critical metal parts used in aerospace, medical, and many other industries require reliable methods of finishing metal surfaces.
With no room for error, these manufacturers often turn to electropolishing, which offers a precise, consistent and repeatable process for achieving the highest quality surface finish.
Sometimes referred to as reverse plating, electropolishing combines a rectified current and a blended chemical electrolyte bath to remove flaws from the surface of metal parts with microscopic precision unattainable by other finishing processes.
Many types of alloys can be electropolished, including:
- 200-300 Series Stainless Steels
- 400 Series Stainless Steels
- Precipitating Hardening Grades
- Unusual Stainless Steels
- Copper Alloys
- Tool Steels
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Nitinol
- Specialty Alloys
- Nickel Alloys
- Specialty Steels
- Carbon Steels
Are You Experiencing Any of These 7 Common Metal Surface Problems?
Metal surface defects are a common result of machining operations that can leave behind burrs, microcracks, staining, debris and other imperfections. This can affect the performance of parts, especially in assemblies where contact to metal surfaces is critical. Electropolishing smooths imperfections to reveal a clean and bright, defect-free surface.
Here is an overview of some of the most common surface problems that electropolishing can solve.
The Electropolishing Solution for Your Metal Surface Defects
| Burrs |  |
The electropolishing process is well-suited for microdeburring. Electropolishing acts like lightning and looks for the high points first as material is being removed. |
| Surface Roughness | |
Most manufacturing processes can leave contaminants and anomalies from metalworking operations. Electropolishing removes the outer skin of material from the part and improves the microfinish by up to 50%. |
| Staining, Peeling, Abrading | |
Electropolishing cleans surfaces, and leaves them non-coating, non-distorting, stain-resistant, and with improved weldability and a bright finish. |
| Corrosion Susceptibility | |
Electropolishing provides superior corrosion resistance for stainless steel by improving the chrome to iron ratio by 4% which results in improved resistance by 30X when compared to passivation. |
| Reduced Lifespan | |
Electropolishing has become a common metal finishing process used to help improve the cycle life of metal parts that flex, cycle, twist, and bend. |
| Less than Optimal Fit | |
Electropolishing allows metal removal to be controlled to within .0001”, improving the fit and function of critical metal parts. |
| Product Identification | |
Able offers custom packaging and laser marking for product identification. |
Try a Sample for Free
Able Electropolishing provides an exceptional, expedited electropolishing process with results that you can see for yourself. We make it easy with a free sample process that provides electropolishing of your sample parts at no charge.
For information regarding sample processing or to receive a quote, please contact our sales department by calling 773-277-1600 or email sales@ableep.com.
To learn more about the 7 common metal surface problems that electropolishing solves, read our full e-guide here.
