Electropolishing stainless steel is a “reverse plating” process that uses an electrochemical solution to remove the outer skin of a metal part. By stripping away a uniform layer of surface material, the electropolishing process also removes embedded contaminants, heat tint and oxide scale, burrs, micro cracks, pits, and other surface imperfections that can compromise the performance and longevity of a part.
Electropolishing stainless steel significantly, especially 300 and 400 series stainless steel, improves a part’s corrosion resistance, leaving it with a lasting bright finish. Electropolishing can be performed on all varieties of stainless steel unlike passivation, and gives stainless steel parts of all kinds corrosion resistance superior to passivation alone—electropolished parts are 30x more corrosion resistant than those that are passivated. The process of dissolving a uniform layer of surface metal is more aggressive and more effective, and because it is highly controlled, it can be used to remove as little as .0002″ of surface material.
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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.
Electropolishing provides an ultrasmooth, ultraclean surface, and improves corrosion resistance for metal fasteners.
Read Able Electropolishing’s guide on passivation, pickling, and electropolishing to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each for your metal parts.
Across industries, electropolishing is the go-to metal finishing method for parts with no room for error. From aerospace to medical manufacturing, engineers rely on electropolishing to eliminate surface defects and create a hygienic, passive and ultra-smooth finish with improved fit, function and durability.
Electropolishing works by removing a microscopically precise layer of material from the surface of metal parts.
