Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
(OP)
Hello!
Could you please give recommendations on holding methods of small parts with complex shape (brackets for orthodontic treatment) on the electrode? They should be attached to the anode in order to conduct electricity, but how to mount them properly?
The bracket design is attached.
Thank you,
Elena
Could you please give recommendations on holding methods of small parts with complex shape (brackets for orthodontic treatment) on the electrode? They should be attached to the anode in order to conduct electricity, but how to mount them properly?
The bracket design is attached.
Thank you,
Elena
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
I.e., to electropolish the inside of a cup shaped object, you would need an electrode that would basically almost fill the cup.
I think the shaped electrode is required in order to provide a roughly uniform current field over the surface to be polished.
In your case, a complementary electrode would have an incredibly complex geometry, and might have to disassemble like a puzzle in order to extract your workpiece, or maybe you could polish in several steps, which cuts into the already not so great speed.
Your part also seems specifically designed to capture tumbling media, so bulk mechanical polishing might not be attractive as an alternative.
How do you polish the part now?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
You could tumble them in a very fine abrasive with a sulfuric/phosphoric acid mixture similar to the one used for EP.
These are sold for doing 'bright work'. The combination of very fine abrasion and the acid will result in a highly polished finish.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
Actually, I have not polished them yet and need to find a way for the best possible option for finishing.
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
Will the next mixture work: fine abrasive media + water + burnishing compound?
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
If you smear any metal on the surface you invite serious corrosion issues.
The use of acid will accelerate the process and help remove 'roughness' from the surface.
These acid mixtures are not super aggressive and it works well.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube