By submerging metal parts in an electrochemical bath, the electropolishing process dissolves a uniform layer of surface material. This strips away embedded contaminants, heat tint and oxide scale, leaving parts with a bright, corrosion resistant finish. Improving corrosion resistance isn’t the only benefit of this process, though.
Because electropolishing removes a uniform layer of material and not just embedded contaminants, it also dissolves surface imperfections in the part itself. This may include cracks, pits, burrs, and other micro imperfections too small to be seen by the naked eye. Eliminating them doesn’t just eliminate initiation sites for bacterial growth and corrosion—it prevents them from getting bigger over time and inhibiting part performance.
Consequently, electropolishing is good not just for improving corrosion resistance, but for improving part performance and longevity. Metal parts may be less susceptible to premature failure and fatigue stress, and without burrs and jagged edges, they may perform better, as well.
Carbon steel is widely favored in manufacturing for its affordability, hardness and ability to undergo heat-treatment to increase durability. Used in gears, springs, and other critical metal parts, it’s known for versatility and reliability.
Precision and reliability are non-negotiable standards in the aerospace industry, where every component must meet strict requirements for performance, durability, and safety.
With the addition of a fourth-generation tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Able’s state-of-the-art suite of analytic tools continues to grow to meet the requirements of high quality finishing for increasingly sophisticated metal parts.
Stainless steel alloys are prized by manufacturers across industries for their durability and corrosion resistance. Unfortunately, when free iron isn’t removed from the surface of stainless steel parts after machining or stamping, the inherent benefits of stainless alloys diminish: contaminated…
