Polishing, electrolytic

Technical description:

• Electropolishing is a production process in which surface material is removed. It is more or less a reversal of the electrolytic coating process. The component to be polished is connected as an anode to an electrolyte specially chosen to complement the material. The material is then abraded off the surface without subjecting the component to mechanical stress. Because protruding peaks and burrs on the surface are levelled first, the process ensures an overall reduction in surface roughness. The process is particularly suitable for polishable, stainless steels with a low percentage of non-metallic inclusions, but other steels, brass, aluminium or copper can also be refined in this way.

Advantages:

• Result: a high-gloss, extremely decorative surface finish with high metallic purity.
• The surface of stainless steel is passive after treatment. This reduces product adhesion and therefore also germ adhesion.
• Deburring
• Corrosion resistance is significantly increased by the highly polished surface
• Reduction in surface roughness, smoothening
• Enhanced gliding properties

Please note:

• An upstream pickling process (electrolytically or electrochemically) may be required to ensure an even polishing result.

Area of utilisation:

• Plant and equipment engineering
• Chemical industry (tanks, pipes, sewage treatment plants, etc.)
• Facade components
• Food industry (tanks, containers, supply lines, etc.)
• Mechanical engineering
• Medical technology (instruments, etc.)
• Micro-industry
• Jewellery