--- title: The Right Metal Finishing Process for Your Critical Metal Parts | Able description: Learn about the superior metal finishing results Able has provided to clients in aerospace, medical engineering, food manufacturing, and other industries image: https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/hubfs/ppe-blog.jpg --- - [**Free Sample**](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/free-sample-offer) - [**Request Quote**](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/request-a-quote/) - - - - - - - ![Able Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/themes/able/img/phone-icon.png) [(888) 868-2900 |](tel:1-888-868-2900) - ITAR Registered - [![ISO 9001 Certification](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NQA-ISO-9001-Logo-ANAB.jpg)](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-9001-Certificate.pdf) - [![ISO 13485 Certification](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NQA-ISO-13485-Logo-ANAB.jpg)](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-13485-Certificate.pdf) - 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[What Is Electropolishing?](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/what-is-electropolishing-and-how-does-it-work/) - [Material Removal Control](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/material-removal-control/) - [Electropolishing vs. Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-vs-electropolishing/) - [Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-pickling-electropolishing/) - [How to Specify Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/specifying-electropolishing/) - [Bulk Electropolishing for Fasteners](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/automation-enhanced-bulk-electropolishing-for-fasteners/) - [Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation/) - [Nitric](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/aluminum/) - [Citric](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/al6xn-electropolishing) - [Brite](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/brass/) - 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Col-1 - Electropolishing eliminates microscopic imperfections for the following alloys: - inner-col-1 - [Stainless Steel 200 & 300 Series](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/200-300-series-stainless-steel/) - [Stainless Steel 400 Series](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/400-series-stainless-steel/) - [Aluminum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/aluminum/) - [AL6XN](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/al6xn-electropolishing/) - [Carbon Steel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/carbon-steels/) - [Cobalt 21 & Cobalt-Chrome](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/cobalt-21-cobalt-chrome-electropolishing-services/) - [Copper & Brass](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/copper-and-brass/) - [Elgiloy](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/elgiloy-electropolishing/) - [Hastelloy](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/hastelloy-electropolishing/) - [Haynes 214 & 230](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/haynes-214-haynes-230-electropolishing/) - [Molybdenum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/molybdenum-electropolishing/) - [MP35N](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/mp35n-electropolishing/) - inner-col-2 - [Nickel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/nickel/) - [Nitinol](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/nitinol/) - [Niobium](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/niobium-electropolishing/) - [Tantalum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tantalum-electropolishing/) - [Titanium](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/titanium/) - [Tungsten](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tungsten-electropolishing/) - [TZM](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tzm-electropolishing/) - [Exotic & Other Metal](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/unusual-stainless-steel/) - [Precipitating Hardening Grade Stainless Steel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/precipitating-hardening-grade/) - Col-2 - TECHNICAL GUIDE: YOUR SOLUTION TO METAL SURFACE PROBLEMS - 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[Marine](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/marine-industry/) - [Meat & Poultry Processing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/electropolishing-meat-poultry-industry/) - [Medical Devices, Implants & Surgical Instruments](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/medical-device-manufacturing/) - [National Labs & Higher Education](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/national-labshigher-education/) - [Pharmaceutical](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/pharmaceutical/) - [Power & Grid Infrastructure](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/power-grid-energy-infrastructure-electropolishing/) - [Semiconductor](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/semiconductor-industry/) - Col-3 - Technical Guide: Metal Finishing for the Medical Industry - ![](https://ableep.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/medical-cover.png) - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-medical-industry) - [Blog](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/) - RECENT POSTS - [How Electropolishing Eliminates Microburrs](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/how-electropolishing-eliminates-microburrs) - [Electropolishing for Refractory Metals](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/improve-the-finish-fit-function-of-refractory-metal-parts-able) - [How Electropolishing Delivers a Defect-Free Surface Finish and Added Longevity for Hard-Working Springs](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/how-electropolishing-delivers-a-defect-free-surface-finish-and-added-longevity-for-hard-working-springs) - Col-2 - Technical Guide: Your Solution to Metal Surface Problems - ![](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solution-guide.png?width=600&name=solution-guide.png) - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/solutions-for-metal-surface-problems) - Col-3 - Technical Guide: Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing? - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ppe-guide-menu_v2.png) - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-pickling-or-electropolishing-guide?__hstc=51647990.0a919fe92be7e1034b7c346e0750ab88.1680609944771.1681452951062.1681460305179.8&__hssc=51647990.1.1681460305179&__hsfp=2175177973) - [Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) - [Featured Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) - [Before & After Electropolishing Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/before-and-after-electropolishing-videos/) - [Learning Center](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/) - Col-1 - [Electropolishing 101 Webinar](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/en/webinar) - [Case Studies](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-case-studies/) - [White Papers](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/white-papers/) - [Electropolishing for Metal Fasteners](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/metal-fasteners-whitepaper) - [Electropolishing to Improve Corrosion Protection](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-to-improve-corrosion-protection) - [Advantages of Electropolishing for Deburring Metal Parts](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/deburring-whitepaper) - [Electropolishing & Passivation Standards](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-passivation-standards/) - [AMS 2700 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/ams-2700-passivation/) - [ASTM A380 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-a380-passivation/) - [ASTM A967 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-a967-passivation/) - [ASTM F86 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-f86-passivation/) - [ASTM F86 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-f86-electropolishing/) - [ASTM B912 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-b912-electropolishing/) - [ISO 15730 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/iso-15730-electropolishing/) - [FAQ](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/frequently-asked-questions/) - [Passivation vs. Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-vs-electropolishing/) - [Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-pickling-or-electropolishing-guide) - Col-2 - [Electropolishing Before & Afters](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/case-studies/) - [Industry Technical Guides](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/technical-guides/) - [Electropolishing for the Medical Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-medical-industry) - [Electropolishing for the Aerospace Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-aerospace-industry) - [Electropolishing for the Food Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/finishing-food-industry) - [Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) - [Featured Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) - [Before & After Electropolishing Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/before-and-after-electropolishing-videos/) - [What Is Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/what-is-electropolishing/) - [Electropolishing 101 Quiz](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-101-quiz/) - [Blog](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/) - [State-of-the-Art Automation for Customized, Consistently High-Quality Results](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-automation-ensures-consist-quality-able) - [Why Able? Reliable Results for Critically Important Parts](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/why-able-reliable-results-for-critically-important-parts) - [Get Products to Market Faster with Cost Effective Contract Cleaning Services](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/get-products-to-market-faster-with-cost-effective-contract-cleaning) - Col-3 - Technical Guide: Your Solution to Metal Surface Problems - ![](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solution-guide.png?width=600&name=solution-guide.png) - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/solutions-for-metal-surface-problems) - [About](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/) - Col-1 - [Certifications](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/certifications/) - [History](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/history/) - [In the News](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/press/) - [Our Process](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/our-process/) - [Quality Control](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/quality-control/) - [R&D Support](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/finish-first/) - [Sustainability](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/about-us/sustainability/) - [Careers](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/jobs?__hstc=51647990.0a919fe92be7e1034b7c346e0750ab88.1680609944771.1681452951062.1681460305179.8&__hssc=51647990.1.1681460305179&__hsfp=2175177973) - Col-2 - Line Card - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/able-line-card-2025.png) - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Able-Line-Card-Update-2025.pdf) - Col-3 - ISO 9001: 2015 - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-9001.png) - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-9001-Certificate.pdf) - Col-4 - ISO 13485: 2016 - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-13485.png) - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-13485-Certificate.pdf) - Col-4 - AS9100: 2016 - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AS-9100-Certificate.png) - [Download](https://ableep.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23321_05.19.25-AS9100-2016.pdf) - [Contact](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/contact/) # Learn Which Metal Finishing Process Is Right for Your Critical Metal Parts April 14, 2022 *Read Able Electropolishing’s guide on passivation, pickling, and electropolishing* *to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each for your metal parts.*  From *![ppe-blog](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ppe-blog.jpg?width=300&name=ppe-blog.jpg)*aerospace to medical and food manufacturing industries, metal finishing is essential to the proper fit, function and finish of critical metal parts. Surface imperfections such as burrs, oxide scale, and more can threaten the integrity – and safety – of parts. Passivation, pickling, and electropolishing are common metal finishing techniques – but not all finishing methods are created equal. In our latest guide, we explain the benefits of each, how the processes differ, and how to determine which process is right for your parts. ## **Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing?** While passivation, pickling, and electropolishing all improve the surface of a metal part, they function very differently. Passivation utilizes a [nitric](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/nitric-passivation-service/) or [citric acid](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-services/citric-passivation-service/) bath, and parts are typically passivated in a bulk process. While passivation is compatible with stainless steel and refractory metals, other metals are susceptible to flash attack that can damage the part or threaten its integrity. Pickling, a cruder and more dangerous process than either electropolishing or passivation, is commonly a pre-passivation technique that dissolves surface imperfections with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Because of these harsh acids, pickling is often too corrosive for many metal alloys and faces strict [EPA regulations](https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/steel-pickling-hcl-process-facilities-and-hydrochloric-acid) due to environmentally hazardous waste. Electropolishing combines a chemical bath with an electric current to gently and precisely remove a uniform layer of surface material from the part, improving roughness average (Ra) up to 50% depending on the alloy. Parts that are electropolished are also left in a passive state. Often the preferred metal finishing method, electropolishing offers microscopically precise results for industries with no room for error. For a complete breakdown of the differences between passivation, pickling, and electropolishing, read our guide. ## **Read Our Guide to Learn About Metal Finishing for Corrosion Resistance** While the type of part, alloy, and application are all factors in the choice of finishing method, electropolishing provides [30x the corrosion resistance](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-to-improve-corrosion-protection) of parts that are passivated only. With microscopic precision, electropolishing smooths and polishes the surface of critical metal parts, providing consistent and thorough results. For over five decades, Able has provided superior metal finishing results to clients in aerospace, medical engineering, food manufacturing, and other industries. To learn more about common metal finishing techniques, read our full guide: *Passivation, Pickling, or Electropolishing: Which Metal Finishing Method is Right for You?* [![Download Our Guide to Passivation, Pickling & Electropolishing](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/500185/c909e080-bfa1-48aa-8c9d-9fbb15e12dbc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/500185/c909e080-bfa1-48aa-8c9d-9fbb15e12dbc) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Tags - [Electropolishing Solutions (64)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/electropolishing-solutions) - [Benefits of Electropolishing (54)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/benefits-of-electropolishing) - [Metal Finishing (25)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/metal-finishing) - [Corrosion Resistance (24)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/corrosion-resistance) - [Medical Industry Solutions (23)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/medical-industry-solutions) - [Deburring (21)](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/topic/deburring) - 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Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "alternativeHeadline" : "The Right Metal Finishing Process for Your Critical Metal Parts | Able", "articleBody" : "Read Able Electropolishing’s guide on passivation, pickling, and electropolishing to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each for your metal parts. From aerospace to medical and food manufacturing industries, metal finishing is essential to the proper fit, function and finish of critical metal parts. Surface imperfections such as burrs, oxide scale, and more can threaten the integrity – and safety – of parts. Passivation, pickling, and electropolishing are common metal finishing techniques – but not all finishing methods are created equal. In our latest guide, we explain the benefits of each, how the processes differ, and how to determine which process is right for your parts. Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing? While passivation, pickling, and electropolishing all improve the surface of a metal part, they function very differently. Passivation utilizes a nitric or citric acid bath, and parts are typically passivated in a bulk process. While passivation is compatible with stainless steel and refractory metals, other metals are susceptible to flash attack that can damage the part or threaten its integrity. Pickling, a cruder and more dangerous process than either electropolishing or passivation, is commonly a pre-passivation technique that dissolves surface imperfections with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Because of these harsh acids, pickling is often too corrosive for many metal alloys and faces strict EPA regulations due to environmentally hazardous waste. Electropolishing combines a chemical bath with an electric current to gently and precisely remove a uniform layer of surface material from the part, improving roughness average (Ra) up to 50% depending on the alloy. Parts that are electropolished are also left in a passive state. Often the preferred metal finishing method, electropolishing offers microscopically precise results for industries with no room for error. For a complete breakdown of the differences between passivation, pickling, and electropolishing, read our guide. Read Our Guide to Learn About Metal Finishing for Corrosion Resistance While the type of part, alloy, and application are all factors in the choice of finishing method, electropolishing provides 30x the corrosion resistance of parts that are passivated only. With microscopic precision, electropolishing smooths and polishes the surface of critical metal parts, providing consistent and thorough results. For over five decades, Able has provided superior metal finishing results to clients in aerospace, medical engineering, food manufacturing, and other industries. To learn more about common metal finishing techniques, read our full guide: Passivation, Pickling, or Electropolishing: Which Metal Finishing Method is Right for You?", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Able Electropolishing" }, "dateCreated" : "2022-04-14 17:15:00", "datePublished" : "2022-04-14 17:15:00", "description" : "Learn about the superior metal finishing results Able has provided to clients in aerospace, medical engineering, food manufacturing, and other industries", "headline" : "Learn Which Metal Finishing Process Is Right for Your Critical Metal Parts", "image" : "https://500185.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/500185/ppe-blog.jpg", "url" : "https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/the-right-metal-finishing-process-for-your-critical-metal-parts", "wordcount" : "402" } ```