Does electropolishing prevent corrosion?
Electropolishing is an electrochemical process used to clean, deburr and passivate metals by removing impurities from the surface left behind from manufacturing processes. When used for stainless steel alloys, electropolishing can achieve passivation, thus electropolishing helps to prevent corrosion on the metal.
What is passivation?
Stainless steel is considered “passivated” when it can demonstrate a high resistance to corrosion, in an environment where corrosion would be expected to take place. Passivation is a process used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion and damage by removing impurities from the surface. It helps to strengthen the surface of the metal, making it more durable and resistant to environmental factors. The most common forms of passivation for stainless steel alloys are electropolishing and citric acid passivation.
Why does stainless steel rust?
How Does Passivation Work?
Passivation through electropolishing works by removing any impurities from the metal surface which can lead to corrosion. This is done by exposing the metal to an electro chemical solution designed to remove those impurities, deburr parts and improve surface finish. This helps to restore the chromium layer layer on the surface of the metal, helping to prevent it from rusting or corroding.
Electropolishing is a great way to help prevent corrosion in stainless steel. It helps to remove any surface imperfections and contaminants that are often the cause of corrosion in stainless steel. By removing these surface imperfections, it helps to create an environment where stainless steel can remain corrosion-free for longer. It’s no wonder why electropolishing has become a crucial component of the manufacturing process in key industries such as medical, laboratory, semi-conductor, orthopedics, aerospace and more.
Electropolishing Resources
What is Electropolishing?
Electropolishing is an electrochemical and reverse plating process that removes the outer layer of skin on a metal...
The Electropolishing Process
The electropolishing process is initiated by immersing a metal part into a temperature-controlled bath of electrolyte...
Benefits of Electropolishing
Curious about the benefits of putting your parts through the electropolishing process? Read along below where we...
How Much Material Does Electropolishing Remove?
Electropolishing, when done properly is a highly controllable process which removes as little as...
How Much Will Electropolishing Improve the Surface of my Part?
Ra and RMS are both representations of surface roughness. Ra is calculated as the roughness average of a surface’s...
Electropolishing Frequently Asked Questions
Learn the difference between electropolishing and electroplating as well as how the electropolishing process works...
What is ASTM B912?
ASTM B912 is an industry standard for the passivation of stainless steel alloys through electropolishing...
What is ASTM A967
ASTM A967 is an industry standard specification for the chemical passivation treatments for stainless...
What is ISO 13485?
ISO 13485 is a standard that applies specifically to medical devices. ISO 13485 is designed to be...