Aluminum is used more and more today due to the reasonable cost, ease of machining and light weight. The only negative issue that arises with aluminum is the limited metal finishing options. Unlike stainless steels, you cannot passivate aluminum in order to remove the contaminants on the surface. In addition, there are few options for improving microfinish after machining. Electropolishing is an effective means for providing a part that has an enhanced surface finish and clean surface. Many companies use the electropolishing for parts that are assembled in a clean room, such as laser components.
Aluminum Alloys & Electropolishing
Aluminum is generally separated two main categories: casting and wrought alloys. Casting alloys are comprised of high amounts of silicon. This lends the casting alloys their low melting points and decent fluidity. But at the same time, lessens their desirable smooth finish.
Wrought alloys have significantly different compositions and microstructures from casting alloys. A wrought aluminum part that has been electropolished will exhibit an improved surface and will be contaminant-free. The surface will also display a shiny finish.
Common aluminum alloys and the results that can be achieved through electropolishing:
ALUMINUM
COMMENT
1008
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
1100
Excellent Mirror Type Finish After Electropolishing
2014
Satin-Pitted Finish – Not Suited for Electropolishing
2024
Bright Finish After Electropolislhing (Slight Pitting)
3003
Good Reflective Finish After Electropolishing
4032
Gray Finish – May Come Out Better With More S/R
5052
Good Reflective Finish After Electropolishing
5086
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
5350 (Cast)
Bright Finish After Electropolishing (Pitted)
5657
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
6061
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
6082
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
6105-T5
Excellent Finish After Electropolishing
6463
Bright Finish After Electropolishing (Some Pitting)
7050
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
7073
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
7075
Good Bright Finish After Electropolishing
Al Cu 31
Bright Finish After Electropolishing (Pitted & Rough)
Al EA70-2
Very Bright Finish After Electropolishing
ALUZINC
Good Finish After Electropolishing (Some Pitting)
2011
(Bright Finish After Electropolishing (Slight Pitting)
Advantages of Electropolishing Aluminum
Why electropolish aluminum? Corrosion always begins on or near the metal’s surface. Unfortunately, all handling and fabricating procedures will eventually degrade the surface integrity and properties. Surface contaminants, including metallic particles, iron, dirt, and grease are a fundamental part of welding, machining, and other fabrication procedures. Mechanical polishing, cutting, handling, and polishing tend to result in extraneous iron and other abrasive particles that are embedded within the surface of the material. These surface contaminants break down the aluminums’ naturally occurring corrosion resistant oxide layer and are often the site where corrosion begins. The electropolishing process dissolves a minute layer of surface material and contaminants, thus freeing embedded particles and increasing the part’s lifespan.
Additional Benefits of Electropolishing Aluminum
Increased Resistance to Corrosion
Improved Surface Finish
Reduced Product Adhesion & Ease of Cleaning
Deburring
Attractive Appearance
Ultimately, electropolished aluminum will increase the part’s resistance to pitting, localized galvanic corrosion, surface corrosion, crevice corrosion, cracking, stress corrosion, and microbiological corrosion.
At Able Electropolishing, we perform our signature electropolishing treatment on a variety of metal alloys, including aluminum. Following our treatment, parts have an enhanced corrosion resistance, improved microfinish, and are clean and free of harmful contaminants. Along with the commonly used 6061 aluminum, our process is suitable with other alloys such as 1100, 3003, 5002 and 7075.
Able: Your Aluminum Electropolishing Suppliers
Contact us to see how we can utilize our metal finishing capabilities for your aluminum parts.
Learn everything you need to know about electropolishing as part of a private, interactive webinar. Let us know your availability and your part issues and our electropolishing experts can get you on our schedule. Lunch will be provided!
From implantable devices to surgical instruments, electropolishing is a single-process treatment that results in biocompatible, safe and ultra clean parts.
We offer aerospace vendors and original equipment manufacturers our signature metal finishing services to increase fatigue-resistance for their metal parts, rendering them capable of withstanding the stress and corrosion that comes with long-term use.
Our strict adherence to industry standards ensures that pharmaceutical components are electropolished in accordance with ASTM B912 and ASME BPE specifications. These products are clean and smooth, corrosion resistant and contaminant free.
Corrosion resistance and microfinish improvement are essential for critical automotive parts, making electropolishing an increasingly beneficial option for automakers.
Our metal finishing services help increase corrosion resistance for these parts, and by removing the outermost layer of metal withelectropolishing the durability and longevity of these appliance components is increased.
Electropolishing materials for this industry eliminates the buildup of bacterial biofilms, as well as keeping the equipment free of contaminants like Salmonella. Electropolishing delivers the level of sanitation required by a number of regulatory agencies.
From robotics to mobile equipment, the uses of electropolishing in the hydraulics and pneumatics industry are many. By helping prevent premature part failure, electropolishing reduces downtime and increases the life cycle of these components.
Improving conductivity and performance is just one benefit electropolishing offers for electronics parts. The surface finish is improved by as much as 50%, removing imperfections from the material without material removal.
Read our guide to understand why so many of the world’s best-known manufacturers, including Boeing, SpaceX, Tesla, and Volvo, trust Able to electropolish their metal parts.
Electropolishing for Finishing Rescue Device Parts
When a marine and rescue hardware manufacturer started developing parts for rescue harnesses in 2018, they knew they needed to find a metal finishing partner with uncompromising standards and no tolerance for error: lives, literally, hang on the line.
