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Electropolishing Material Removal Control

The ability to precisely control the degree and accuracy of surface material removal is a key benefit of Able’s electropolishing process. The combination of a chemical bath and a rectified electrical current enable a microscopically precise layer of surface material to be removed.

The chart below illustrates the range of material removal control in our process for a variety of common and specialty alloys to achieve the specific benefit desired. Every finishing project has its own unique challenges. Able’s ability to achieve exacting control of the material removal process allows us to provide the right finishing solution for every project.

Metal Alloy

Material Removal Control in the Process

Minimum / Cleaning

Microfinish

Microdeburring

Corrosion Resistance
Titanium .0001″ per surface .0001″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″ per surface N/A
Nitinol .0001″ per surface .0001″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″ per surface N/A
Brass .00025″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″-.001″ per surface .0005″ – .001″ per surface N/A
Copper .00025″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″-.001″ per surface .0005″ – .001″ per surface N/A
Steel .00025″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″-.001″ per surface .0005″ – .001″ per surface N/A
Stainless Steel .0001″ per surface .0001″ per surface .0005″ per surface .0005″-.001″ per surface .0005″ per surface
Aluminum .00025″ per surface .00025″ per surface .0005″-.001″ per surface .0005″ – .001″ per surface N/A

At Able Electropolishing, the ability to precisely and consistently control the amount of material removal is a key differentiator, further enhanced by the use of robotic automation, in addition to diligent standards for quality control, training, and customer service. Customized racking and tooling combined with part and alloy-specific bath chemistry ensures the uniform application of current and the highest-quality results. As pioneers of the electropolishing industry, our processes have been honed over 68 years of innovation and collaboration with engineers across industries.

Whether your part needs a small, medium or large amount of stock removal often depends on the application. Parts with extremely tight tolerances in their specifications may specify a low level of stock removal, (e.g. .0002”). A higher level of stock removal is often specified for parts that undergo manufacturing processes where burrs are a common problem.

Free Electropolishing Sample

To see how we can improve the microfinish with precisely controlled material removal, send us your parts or 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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Learn About the Electropolishing Difference


Electropolishing Live:
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Join the experts at Able Electropolishing via Microsoft Teams to ramp up your knowledge of metal finishing processes and have lunch (or breakfast, if you prefer) on us.

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Schedule Your Part Review Discussion

Meet via Microsoft Teams with our team to review your print(s) and discuss current challenges and tolerances for your part(s). Review fixturing/racking, material removal, impact of electropolishing on your part, limitations, and discuss next steps in terms of samples or providing a quotation.

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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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