Electropolishing

Electropolishing, also referred to as electrochemical polishing or electrolytic polishing, is an advanced metal finishing process that offers a superior alternative to traditional abrasive polishing methods. This electrochemical technique removes surface imperfections, such as microburrs, stains, heat tint, oxide scale, and free iron, resulting in a smooth, polished, and highly durable metal surface. With its precision and ability to eliminate a wide range of defects in one process, electropolishing is widely used for critical metal parts in industries such as aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, and more.

Electropolishing Capabilities

  • Electropolish stainless steel 200, 300 series, 17-4, 17-7, high nickel alloys, duplexes, and Titanium
  • Perform I.D. electropolish (Requires Conforming Cathode)
  • Typical Thickness Removal 0.0001 to 0.003 inches
  • Part length – needs to fit through shop door (15’Hx17’Wx53’L)
  • Part weight – up to 20,000lbs
  • Masking available for selective polishing
  • Salt spray testing per ASTM B117
  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Available
  • ASTM B912, ASME BPE, SEMI F17, SEMI F19, ASTM E1558, ASTM F86, ISO 8075, ISO 15730, MIL-STD-753

Why Choose Our Electropolishing Company?

  • ✓ We are a leader in electropolishing services
  • ✓ Shop & field services available
  • ✓ One-stop-shop for all metal surface finishing needs
  • ✓ Large scale solutions
  • ✓ Decades of experience
  • ✓ ASTM B912 & ASME BPE
  • ✓ Environmentally compliant
  • ✓ Single parts to bulk parts
  • ✓ Specialize in complex parts
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Industries That Depend On Electropolishing

Electropolishing is a versatile metal finishing process that provides numerous benefits to a wide range of industries. From improving durability and corrosion resistance to enhancing cleanliness and aesthetics, electropolishing plays a crucial role in the production of high-quality products.

1. Pharmaceutical: Ensuring Clean and Contamination-Free Surfaces

The pharmaceutical industry relies on electropolishing to maintain clean and contamination-free surfaces in the production, development, and packaging of pharmaceutical products. Electropolishing prevents metals from retaining debris and residues that could potentially be harmful. By utilizing electropolished products, consumers can have peace of mind knowing that there is minimal risk of contamination.

2. Food and Beverage: Promoting Hygiene and Safety

Electropolishing is used as a preventative measure in the food and beverage industry to ensure hygiene and safety. By eliminating residues and contaminants, this metal treatment process helps maintain the cleanliness and integrity of food and beverage products. Whether it’s preparing ingredients or manufacturing equipment, electropolishing plays a crucial role in preventing potential health hazards.

3. Medical and Dental Instruments: Promoting Hygiene and Biocompatibility

Electropolishing is widely used in the production of medical and dental instruments to achieve clean, hygienic, and biocompatible surfaces. Unlike traditional passivation methods, electropolishing creates polished and pristine surfaces that are resistant to bacterial growth. This process is particularly beneficial for precision utensils such as scalpels and needles, where cleanliness and hygiene are of paramount importance.

4. Aerospace: Precision and Performance in Extreme Environments

The aerospace industry relies heavily on electropolishing for the production of metal aircraft parts. By deburring metal components with utmost precision, electropolishing ensures a smooth and aerodynamic finish. This not only improves the overall performance of aerospace equipment but also enhances resistance to corrosion and friction. Additionally, electropolishing reduces the risk of fatigue, extending the lifespan of parts exposed to high-stress environments.

5. Consumer Goods: Enhancing Quality and Longevity

Electropolishing plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality, durability, and longevity of consumer goods. From cookware and light fittings to furniture, a wide range of stainless steel products can benefit from this metal finishing technique. By improving hygiene, increasing resistance to wear and tear, and facilitating easy cleaning, electropolishing ensures that consumers have access to durable and easy-to-maintain products.

6. Automotive: Extending the Lifespan of Car Parts

Electropolishing offers multiple benefits for manufacturers and consumers in the automotive industry. By removing debris and the outermost surface of metal car parts, electropolishing increases their lifespan and reduces the risk of corrosion. This process is particularly important for car, van, and HGV parts that are constantly exposed to harsh environments and demanding conditions.

7. Electrical and Electronics: Improving Conductivity and Performance

In an increasingly technology-driven world, electropolishing offers significant benefits in the development and fabrication of electrical and electronic goods. By eliminating imperfections that could hinder productivity and generate resistance, electropolishing improves conductivity and enhances the overall performance of electrical components. This process ensures that machines, appliances, and gadgets powered by electricity function optimally.

8. Marine: Corrosion Resistance and Aesthetics

Electropolishing is highly valuable in the marine industry, where corrosion resistance and aesthetics are key considerations. This metal finishing process provides an appealing, lustrous finish while significantly improving the corrosion resistance of metal components. By protecting against the harsh marine environment, electropolished surfaces ensure the longevity and performance of marine equipment.

9. Petrochemical: Enhanced Corrosion Resistance

In the petrochemical industry, electropolishing is employed to improve the corrosion resistance of metal components. By providing pickling, passivation, and electropolishing services, companies can ensure that their equipment can withstand the harsh conditions of petrochemical operations. This process helps prevent corrosion and extends the lifespan of critical petrochemical equipment.

10. Semiconductor: High-Purity Surface Finishing

The semiconductor industry requires high-purity surface finishing to meet strict quality standards. Electropolishing provides smooth, clean, and visually appealing surfaces that meet the industry’s demands. By reducing oxidation and contamination, electropolishing ensures the reliability and performance of semiconductor components used in various electronic devices.

12. Nuclear: Preparing Stainless Steel for Nuclear Applications

Electropolishing and passivation have long been used in the nuclear industry to prepare stainless steel surfaces for service. These processes remove impurities, contaminants, and surface defects, ensuring the integrity and safety of stainless steel components used in nuclear applications. By enhancing corrosion resistance and cleanliness, electropolishing plays a vital role in the nuclear sector.

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