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.
To the limited extent to which I understand it, electropolishing requires an electrode of opposite polarity which has a shape complementary to the part to be polished, and a modest clearance space between the two, large enough for electrolyte to circulate.
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
I wouldn't electropolish them, for the reasons mentioned above.
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.
EdStainless, could you please advise if a tumbling without acids makes it possible to achieve better surface finish?
Will the next mixture work: fine abrasive media + water + burnishing compound?
RE: Electropolishing of small stainless steel parts with intricate shape
You have to make sure that you don't get any burnishing.
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.
Engineers are being asked to produce more sophisticated designs under a perfect storm of complexity, cost, and change management pressures. Generative design empowers automotive design teams to navigate this storm by employing automation, data re-use and synchronization, and framing design in the context of a full vehicle platform. Download Now
Simulation-driven design can reduce the time and cost of product development. In this engineering.com eBook, we’ll explore how SOLIDWORKS users can access simulation-driven design through the SOLIDWORKS Simulation suite of analysis tools. Download Now
Aberdeen’s survey of 100 top executives reveals how discrete manufacturers can ensure quality in complex, innovative engineering environments. Download this report for an exploration of how to best implement quality control in manufacturing. Download Now
Aras Innovator provides multiple options for integrating data between systems, depending on the scenario. Utilizing the right approach to meet specific business requirements is vital. These needs range from authoring tools, federating data from various and dissimilar databases, and triggering processes and workflows. Download Now
Talk To Other Members
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.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube