Electropolishing & Deburring for National Labs & Higher Education

Over decades of collaboration and innovation, Able Electropolishing has become the choice of national laboratories across the United States for electropolishing processes to remove microburrs and embedded contaminants from metal components used in a variety of advanced research applications. With our ability to remove a microscopically precise layer of surface material in a consistent and customizable process, Able has become a key partner for advanced metal finishing processes in the educational and research space.

How We Work with National Labs & Higher Education

FINISH FIRST: Electropolishing in the R&D Process

Our Finish First methodology enables world class design and manufacturing engineers to approach metal finishing challenges from the beginning, as an advantage in the design and prototyping stage.

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Whitepaper: Electropolishing for Significantly Improved Corrosion Resistance

Learn why enhanced corrosion resistance is one of the most common reasons engineers across a variety of industries rely on electropolishing to finish their critical metal parts, especially for parts made of stainless steel. Three included case studies show the difference electropolishing makes.

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Whitepaper: Advantages of Electropolishing for Deburring Metal Parts

Electropolishing, with its ability to remove a microscopically precise layer of surface material with consistent results, is the finishing process of choice for such parts, for many reasons. Learn why electropolishing is more effective than other methods for removing burrs.

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Technical Guide: Your Solution to Metal Surface Problems

Whether you are an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), a part manufacturer or a metal working shop looking to solve these common surface problems, it's critical to find a solution to adequately address these surface problems in a cost-effective method.

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Electropolishing for Laboratories & Higher Education

Able Electropolishing is an approved provider of advanced metal finishing processes for national labs including Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Electropolishing is used by these labs to improve the microfinish of sensitive metal components while removing burrs and creating a passive surface.

In 2008, Able Electropolishing entered into a joint venture with Fermi National Accelerator Lab to develop a process for electropolishing a component for the International Linear Collider. The item was a single cell cavity made from niobium that needed electropolishing on the inside only. With the support of Fermi Lab, Able constructed a special research and development cell dedicated to developing the parameters and tooling necessary to electropolish this cavity.

Able engaged in a similar effort at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Virginia. In a joint effort over two years, Able succeeded in electropolishing the ID only of the niobium weldment. The processing parameters developed for niobium were instrumental in further advances for electropolishing other inert alloys such as titanium and Nitinol.

We recently worked on another project with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. After fabricating stainless steel dryer vessels, the process specification called for electropolishing the vessel and components per ASTM B912. The engineers wanted to make sure that the surface finish was improved and that the parts were free of contaminants and in a passive state. After an audit by a quality engineer from Lawrence Livermore, we became one of only two approved vendors qualified to provide electropolishing for their lab. The dryer components Able electropolished were designed for use in the laboratory’s Laser Fusion Project.

Able has electropolished numerous parts made from stainless steel, aluminum and copper for use in the Advanced Photon Source electron accelerator at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois since 1994. More recently, we electropolished multiple sets of electrodes made from 304 SS to remove the iron embedded in the pores of the metal surface.

Compared to passivation alone, electropolishing is 30 times more effective for improving corrosion resistance. Send your samples for electropolishing and we will evaluate both finish and dimensional changes. If electropolishing is planned during the design stage, the material removal can be factored into your final size specifications.

Optimize Surface Finish, Part Life & Corrosion Resistance

Ultracleaning for Metal Parts
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Benefits of Microfinishing Metal Parts
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Improve Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel & Aluminum Parts
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Benefits of Electropolishing | Metal Deburring for Microburrs
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Electropolishing Blog

Electropolishing for Improved EV Battery Parts

Whatever the bumps along the road, the future of the automobile industry is electric – and the future of the EV auto industry is built on the reliability, safety and performance of its batteries.

New Guide: Solution to Metal Surface Problems

From stubborn burrs and other microscopic defects to cleanability, corrosion, and premature part failure, metal surface issues are a common manufacturing challenge. 

Reduce Pathogen Risk in Food Processing

Metal parts used in food processing machinery, including cutting blades, mixing tanks, and fittings face constant exposure to corrosive substances such as salts, acids and moisture, in addition to aggressive cleaning methods.

Custom Racking for Precision Electropolishing

Manufacturers that specify electropolishing for metal parts used in medical devices, pharmaceutical production equipment, semiconductors and food processing components need more than an ultrasmooth and defect-free surface; they need those results consistently – part after part, and across the surface…