Electropolishing Case Study: Medical Casting Needing to Withstand Cleaning Agents Containing Bleach

Industry

Medical: Manufacturers of hospital equipment

Mfg/Method

Casting

Alloy

17-4 cast stainless steel

Problem

End customer needs part to withstand corrosive environment in a hospital setting. Part must withstand regular cleaning with a solution made up of 25% bleach and 75% water.

Solution

Electropolished samples were tested with 50% bleach and 50% water solution (harsher than required by end customer). After several tests the electropolished parts were left in the solution overnight and remained corrosion free. The end customer accepted the electropolished parts and added electropolishing to the manufacturing process.

Note to engineer: Most stainless castings need to be clean of scale or debris prior to electropolishing. Dissolving surface metal and embedded impurities is most economical on clean parts. Please call for more details on pre-electropolish operations that will lower overall finishing costs.