Electropolishing and passivation are very different processes, and to decide which is better for your needs, you should know what these differences are.
Passivation is a chemical process that eliminates free iron and ferrous contaminants that are embedded in stainless steel parts during manufacturing, returning those parts to their original corrosion specifications. Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that treats a wide variety of alloys, including stainless steels, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, Nitinol and many others, including specialty alloys.
Electropolishing is the more aggressive of the two operations, as it dissolves a uniform layer of surface material from a metal part. This eliminates not only embedded contaminants, but imperfections like mirco cracks and pits that become initiation sites for corrosion. This process makes electropolished parts as much as 30 times more corrosion resistant than passivated parts. Electropolishing also removes oxide scale and heat tint created by manufacturing, which passivation does not. Ultimately, electropolishing is a more comprehensive, versatile and effective process.
Contact us to learn more about electropolishing and passivation
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At the Battery Show and EV Tech Expo 2025 in Detroit recently, the Able Electropolishing team had the opportunity to meet with manufacturers and suppliers of batteries and battery parts across industries that included automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and medical…
We provide electropolishing, nitric & citric passivation, and vacuum vapor degreasing.
Electropolishing:
Passivation:
Vapor degrease:
Note: If there is a question regarding our capabilities, please email a print for review to sales@ableelectropolishing.com.
We need a copy of the drawing, service needed, lot and annual quantities, process specification and packaging requirements.
Standard delivery is 3 to 5 working days after receipt of order. Next day and same day services are offered at an additional cost. Please contact our sales department for further details.
Passivation is a chemical process designed to remove free iron and other contaminants from the part surface. Electropolishing is an electro-chemical process that removes surface metal which improves micro finish, provides deburring and adds to the aesthetics of your part.