Want to Learn More About Electropolishing? Sign Up for Our Virtual Lunch & Learn!
Refractory Metal

Electropolishing & Deburring Service for Molybdenum

Electropolishing produces a bright finish like 316 SS on high-purity molybdenum — for sputtering targets, furnace components, semiconductor, and vacuum applications.

Like 316 SS
Finish Quality
4,753°F
Melting Point
70+
Years Experience
#1
Largest EP Specialist

Molybdenum is a refractory metal prized for its extremely high melting point (4,753°F), excellent thermal conductivity, and low coefficient of thermal expansion — making it indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing, high-temperature furnace systems, and vacuum applications.

At Able Electropolishing, we routinely process 99.99% pure molybdenum using our proprietary in-house electrolytes — enabling us to electropolish refractory metals that other finishing companies cannot process.

Electropolishing produces a bright finish like 316 stainless steel on high-purity molybdenum. This remarkable result removes surface oxides, eliminates machining marks and embedded contaminants, and reduces outgassing — making electropolished molybdenum the preferred choice for sputtering targets, semiconductor hardware, furnace components, and vacuum system applications.

Send us your molybdenum parts for a free evaluation. We’ll electropolish them at no cost — we’ll even pay for shipping. By establishing processing parameters on your parts, you can factor material removal into your design-stage specifications.

Benefits of Electropolishing Molybdenum

Like 316 SS
💎

Finish Like 316 Stainless Steel

Electropolishing produces a remarkably bright, uniform finish on 99.99% pure molybdenum — comparable to the chrome-like result achieved on 316 stainless steel, which is exceptional for a refractory metal.

Oxide Removal
🔥

High-Temperature Oxide Removal

Molybdenum oxidizes readily at elevated temperatures. Electropolishing removes surface oxides that form during thermal processing, restoring a clean, passive surface for high-performance applications.

Vacuum
🔬

Reduced Outgassing

Smooth, clean electropolished surfaces have significantly lower surface area and fewer particle adhesion sites — reducing outgassing in ultra-high vacuum environments critical to semiconductor and scientific applications.

Sputtering
✨

Improved Sputtering Performance

Electropolished molybdenum sputtering targets deliver more uniform film deposition by eliminating surface peaks and embedded contaminants that cause inconsistent erosion patterns during PVD processes.

Cleanliness
🧹

Surface Cleanliness

Machining embeds lubricants, metal particles, and other contaminants into the moly surface. Electropolishing removes this contaminated outer layer, delivering a high-purity surface for critical applications.

Glass
⚙️

Glass Processing Electrodes

Molybdenum electrodes used in glass melting benefit from electropolishing — smooth surfaces reduce glass adhesion, extend electrode service life, and maintain dimensional integrity in aggressive molten glass environments.

Before & After

Electropolishing Results: Molybdenum (99.99%)

BEFORE EP
→
AFTER EP

Molybdenum (99.99%) — Visual Finish

Bright finish like 316 SS after electropolishing. Surface oxides removed, delivering a high-purity surface for semiconductor, vacuum, and high-temperature applications.

Before: 16–20 µin RaAfter: 8–10 µin Ra
SEM: BEFORE EP
SEM: AFTER EP

Molybdenum (99.99%) — SEM Surface Topography (500×)

Scanning electron microscopy reveals how electropolishing dissolves surface peaks, eliminates machining marks, and removes embedded contaminants from high-purity molybdenum.

Rough: peaks, burrs, inclusionsSmooth: clean passive surface

Molybdenum Components We Electropolish

Sputtering Targets

Electropolished moly sputtering targets deliver uniform film deposition with fewer nodules and particulates — improving yield and consistency in PVD semiconductor and flat panel display processes.

Furnace Components

Heating elements, heat shields, boats, and boats used in high-temperature furnaces benefit from electropolishing — reduced outgassing and cleaner surfaces extend component service life.

Focus Cups & Ion Beam Components

Precision-electropolished focus cups and ion beam hardware deliver improved surface quality for electron beam and ion beam systems used in semiconductor lithography and inspection equipment.

Semiconductor CVD/PVD Hardware

Chamber components, gas injectors, and susceptors used in CVD and PVD deposition tools — electropolished for sub-micron surface cleanliness and reduced particle generation in cleanroom environments.

Rocket Nozzles & Aerospace Hardware

High-temperature rocket nozzle inserts and aerospace structural components — electropolished to improve surface integrity and remove oxidation that compromises performance at extreme temperatures.

X-Ray Anodes & Medical Imaging

Molybdenum x-ray anodes used in mammography and diagnostic imaging — electropolished to improve thermal performance, surface uniformity, and service life in high-duty-cycle medical applications.

Glass Melting Electrodes

Molybdenum electrodes in electric glass melting furnaces benefit from electropolishing — smooth surfaces reduce glass adhesion and extend electrode service life in aggressive molten glass environments.

Vacuum System Components

Flanges, tubes, and fixtures used in ultra-high vacuum systems — electropolished to minimize outgassing, eliminate surface contamination, and achieve the cleanliness levels required for scientific and research applications.

Molybdenum Alloy Finish Results

Expected finish quality from Able's electropolishing process based on extensive production experience.

Alloy Able Finish Quality EP Benefit Typical Parts Ra Before → After

Our Electropolishing Process

1

Part Evaluation

Alloy purity, geometry, and spec requirements assessed by our experts.

2

Cleaning & Prep

Oils, oxides, and contaminants removed. Custom racking designed for moly.

3

Electropolishing

Proprietary in-house electrolyte dissolves surface peaks and removes oxide layer.

4

Rinse & Dry

Thorough rinse and controlled drying to prevent re-oxidation.

5

QC & Delivery

Inspected per specification, packed and shipped.

Contact us to learn more about molybdenum electropolishing

Learn About the Electropolishing Difference


Electropolishing 101 Webinar

Electropolishing 101
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.

Schedule Your Private Webinar
Try Electropolishing for Free: Sample Request

Try Electropolishing for Free:
Sample Request

Send us your parts and we'll electropolish them for free – we'll even pay for the shipping! Samples are processed and returned in a few days.

Request a Sample

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.

Learn More  

Aerospace

Aerospace

We offer aerospace vendors and original equipment manufacturers our signature metal finishing services to increase fatigue-resistance for their metal parts.

Learn More  

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical

Our strict adherence to industry standards ensures that pharmaceutical components are electropolished in accordance with ASTM B912 and ASME BPE specifications.

Learn More  

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%.

Learn More  

Electropolishing, Passivation and Metal Surface Analytics Blog

High-Quality Electropolishing for Small and Intricate Parts

Metal fabrication for parts used in the medical and electronics industries can involve dimensions as small as a grain of rice — or even a strand of hair. At that scale, surface defects may be invisible to the naked eye,…

Read More

When is Stainless Steel Passivation Required?

While stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance, it contains iron, which is susceptible to corrosion, especially if parts are frequently exposed to moisture or harsh environments. Contamination left behind by machining processes can also impede the corrosion resistance…

Read More

Electropolishing Specialist vs. a Local Metal Finishing Company

Electropolishing is a highly controlled electrochemical process that directly impacts surface integrity, corrosion resistance, cleanliness, and performance.

Read More

Why Electropolishing is the Aerospace Solution for EDM Recast

In aerospace manufacturing, electrical discharge machining (EDM) is often the only practical way to create the intricate shapes, micro-features, and tight-tolerance geometries required in high-performance parts. From fuel-system components to actuator housings, landing-gear hardware, and propulsion assemblies, EDM enables precision…

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Able Electropolishing provide?

We provide electropolishing, nitric & citric passivation, and vacuum vapor degreasing.

What are the maximum part sizes that can be processed for electropolishing, passivation, and vapor degreasing?

Electropolishing:

  • 300 & 400 series stainless steel: 108” Length x 41” Width x 42” Height
  • Copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and nickel alloys: 72” Length x 14” Width x 17” Height (best results are achieved on parts that are no larger than 12” square)
  • Titanium, Nitinol, tungsten, and niobium, etc. (refractory metals): 26” Length x 8-3/4” Width x 9-3/4” Height

Passivation:

  • Standard nitric acid passivation: 72” Length x 30” Width x 30” Height
  • Nitric acid/sodium dichromate: 20” Length, 20” Width x 20” Height
  • Citric acid: 26” Length x 18” Width x 15” Height

Vapor degrease:

  • Vapor degrease (vacuum): 23” Length x 16” Width x 10” Height

Note: If there is a question regarding our capabilities, please email a print for review to sales@ableelectropolishing.com.

What information do you require in order to receive a quotation?

We need a copy of the drawing, service needed, lot and annual quantities, process specification and packaging requirements.

What is your standard lead-time?

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.

What is the difference between passivation and electropolishing?

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.