Electropolishing Benefits for Metal Alloys

With microscopic precision and consistency, electropolishing provides unmatched metal finishing results. By removing a precise layer of surface material, electropolishing leaves critical metal parts ultrasmooth and free of burrs, microcracks and surface defects left behind by machining processes.

Suitable for a wide range of metal alloys, electropolishing is specified by engineers in the world’s most demanding industries, from medical device manufacturing, to aerospace, to food and beverage manufacturing, and semiconductors – among others.

In addition to the high-quality surface finish, electropolishing provides a range of other benefits, leaving parts with improved fit, finish and function.

Electropolishing vs. Passivation Technical Guide

Electropolishing vs. Passivation Technical Guide
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Deburring

Electropolishing is an effective process for deburring metal parts. Because electropolishing removes surface metal from a part, it eliminates burrs on the surface, as well. This process is frequently used for deburring delicate or intricate parts, and it is effective on a variety of metals regardless of their hardness.

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Improved Corrosion Resistance

By eliminating surface imperfections and contaminants embedded in a metal part’s surface, electropolishing significantly improves long-term corrosion resistance. In salt spray testing, electropolished metal parts benefited from higher corrosion resistance than raw and passivated parts.

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Ultracleaning

Electropolishing removes surface metal and embedded scale, rust, grinding compounds, foreign debris, and oils, creating a bright, uniform finish that does not peel or abrade. This finish increases corrosion resistance and improves weldability without affecting surface hardness or introducing stresses to parts.

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Microfinish Improvement

Electropolishing improves microfinish values even on complex or fragile parts that are not well-suited for methods like grinding, lapping or harperizing. It reduces the microscopic peaks caused by metalworking operations like stamping, welding, and forming, reducing microfinish values and improving part performance.

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Fatigue Life Improvement

Electropolishing has become a common metal finishing process used to help improve the life of metal parts that flex, cycle, twist and bend. By removing surface imperfections on the surface of metal parts, engineers have found electropolishing to greatly improve the life of components that function as springs.

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Galling Prevention

By deburring the threads on metal fasteners, electropolishing can reduce the risk of adhesion between two mating surfaces – known as galling – which can cause material between the surfaces to deteriorate and seize up when parts are pressed together.

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Learn About the Electropolishing Difference


Electropolishing 101 Webinar

Electropolishing 101
Lunch & Learn Webinar

Learn everything you need to know about electropolishing as part of a private, interactive webinar. Let us know your availability and your part issues and our electropolishing experts can get you on our schedule. Lunch will be provided!

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Try Electropolishing for Free: Sample Request

Try Electropolishing for Free:
Sample Request

Send us your parts/prototypes and we’ll electropolish them for free – we’ll even pay for the shipping! Samples are processed in 24-48 hours.

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Medical Device Manufacturing

Medical Device Manufacturing

From implantable devices to surgical instruments, electropolishing is a single-process treatment that results in biocompatible, safe and ultra clean parts.

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Aerospace

Aerospace

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.

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Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical

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.

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Automotive

Automotive

Corrosion resistance and microfinish improvement are essential for critical automotive parts, making electropolishing an increasingly beneficial option for automakers.

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Consumer Appliance

Consumer Appliance

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.

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Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

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.

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Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Hydraulics & Pneumatics

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.

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Electronics

Electronics

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.

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