Electropolishing
Increased demands for safe and efficient production of pharmacuticals, chemicals
and food require stainless steel to be finished to a high standard of cleanliness.
Electropolishing (deburring) provides the solution by removing the top most
layer (microscopic level) to provide a surface with a very low Ra.
The advantages of electropolishing are:
- Reduction of surface roughness (circa 50 % in Ra)
- Removal of sharp edges (burrs, corners), sometimes referred to as chemical milling
- Results in a bright, reflecting surface, with removal of light scratches and cosmetically desirable product with increased light reflection
- Improved resistance to corrosion due to chromium enrichment of the surface
Reduced dirt adhesion and easier to clean - Reduced friction
- Removal of H2 (hydrogen) from alloy: degassing (hydrogen embrittlement)
Areas of application for electrolytic polishing
- Pharmaceutical industry (reaction vessels, mixing vessels, heating spirals etc.)
- Foodstuffs equipment (dairy industry)
- Stamps, fasteners, seals, compressors, pump components (impellers)
- Automotive, yacht building, photographic industry etc.
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Pipe systems for ultraclean gases
- Photographic industry
- High-tech applications (satellites, gas turbine motors)
- Medical applications: sterility, ease of cleaning (equipment, operation instruments, beds etc.)
- Architectural applications
- Deburring products
- Luxury items (faucets, doorknobs, kitchen equipment, washing machine drums, kitchen surfaces, sinks etc.)
Vecom - Electropolishing of Stainless Steel