Improving Cleaning Operations by Electropolishing Dental Instruments

The dental tool industry has relied on electropolishing for its products for years. Although electropolishing dental instruments has a variety of benefits, the most notable is drastically improved corrosion resistance. Dental instruments are subjected to repeated autoclave cleaning, which places them in a highly corrosive environment.

Electropolishing dental instruments electrochemically removes the amorphous layer that is created on the surface of a part during machining, stamping, grinding, vibratory tumbling or other secondary operations. Unlike mechanical stainless steel polishing, our process effectively removes the free iron, lubricants and other contaminants that become embedded in the surface metal’s pores during machining while improving corrosion resistance. Left in the metal, those contaminants become initiation sites for corrosion to take hold.

Continued Corrosion Resistance with Electropolishing Dental Instruments

Able Electropolishing treats autoclave cassettes made from 304 stainless steel. These parts, designed to hold dental instruments during autoclave cleaning, are either laser cut or stamped, formed and hinged together. Deburring and electropolishing provides these cassettes with a decorative finish while improving their corrosion resistance, enabling them to repeatedly withstand the corrosive autoclave cleaning process.

We also provide electropolishing for dental handles made from 303 SS. Our clients need us to remove the contaminants embedded during the machining process and give their instrument handles a bright, passive finish. When electropolishing dental instruments like these, we remove a precise, controlled amount of surface metal, which is critical to maintaining the integrity of the part. In the case of handheld instruments, deburring and electropolishing the handle allows us to improve its shine and corrosion resistance while preventing it from becoming too smooth. This allows dentists working with gloves to grip the instruments even when moisture is present.

Electropolishing Moving Parts for Superior Performance

Manufacturers of dental instruments like high speed drills rely on Able Electropolishing to remove burrs and improve the microfinish on internal components. Deburring and otherwise eliminating imperfections from moving parts like these increase their longevity, and electropolished parts are proven to extend the life of dental drills from the inside out.

The manufacturers of x-ray accessories also benefit from electropolishing services. The 303 SS positioning arms used in collecting radiographs are regularly electropolished, with a variety of benefits. First, the uniform metal removal brings the stock material down to the manufacturer’s desired size. Second, the improved Ra finish makes the plastic-to-metal assembly function easier when making adjustments. Finally, the improved corrosion resistance created by electropolishing ensures a lasting decorative finish and the durability to withstand the wear and tear of repeated sterilization.

Able Electropolishing has been ISO 9001:2008 certified since 2004. We were certified for ISO 13485:2003 in September, 2012.