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ELECTROPOLISHING
 What is Electropolishing?
Electropolishing is the electrochemical removal of a surface layer by making a metal item anodic and immersing it in a suitable electrolyte solution containing metal cathodes. In simplified terms, it is the opposite of electroplating. It can be applied to several metals, but is mainly used on austenitic, martensitic and ferritic stainless steels, typically the 300 and 400 grades of steel. Nickel and high nickel alloy metals and Duplex grades can also be electropolished successfully.
 The process
- Electropolishing produces a combination of properties which can not be achieved by any other method of surface finishing.
- Mechanical grinding, belting, and buffing can produce mirror-like finished on stainless steel, but the processes are labour intensive and leave the surface layer distorted, highly stressed and contaminated with grinding media.
- Passivation methods achieved from such methods produce clean, corrosive resistant surfaces but do not achieve the bright, lustrous appearance obtained by electropolishing.
- The corrosion resistance of electropolished stainless steel exceeds that of standard passivation processes.
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The Benefits
Electropolishing produces beneficial changes in a metal part including:
- Brightening
- Burr removal
- Total passivation
- Oxide and tarnishing removal
- Reduction of surface occlusions
- Increased corrosion resistance
- Increased ratio of chromium to iron at the surface
- Improved adhesion in subsequent plating
- Reduced buffing and grinding costs
- Removal of directional lines
- Radiusing of sharp edges
- Reduced surface friction
- Stress relieved surface
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