Though passivation can improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel parts, manufacturing leaves behind many imperfections that passivation does not eliminate. The process does not, for example, remove heat tint or oxide scale created by welding and heat treating. In the past, this has been addressed by a supplementary chemical treatment known as “pickling.”
Pickling is a pre-passivation process of treating stainless steel parts with an acid solution, typically hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, which can remove oxide scale and heat tint while dissolving steel flecks embedded in the part. But pickling is a very imprecise process, with many drawbacks, including strict EPA regulations around its use. It is also very difficult to create consistent results as the acid solution degrades with age and the amount of surface material removed can vary greatly.
Over the years, electropolishing has emerged as a preferred alternative and a one-stop method for removing surface imperfections, removing a microscopically precise layer of surface material and leaving parts stronger, ultraclean, and resistant to both corrosion and pathogens. Unlike pickling, electropolishing is effective at improving the finish on a wide variety of metals, alloys and specialty alloys.
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.
