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Electropolishing

World’s Best Electropolishing Company

Electropolishing is an advanced industrial metal finishing process also known as electro-chemical or electrolytic polishing that is used as an alternative to abrasive polishing methods. It has the benefit of often being less time consuming and more thorough than conventional mechanical finishing.

Electropolishing is often compared to electroplating, another method of altering a metallic object’s surface. However, instead of adding layers of material to the surface, it draws out the impurities at the surface.

This leaves the surface smooth, highly polished, and free of burrs – and unlike with chrome-plating or similar finishing techniques, and electropolished finish doesn’t chip or peel away.

The precision of the electropolishing process is an advantage over mechanical polishing, which can lead to a noticeable decrease in the dimensions of a metal part, and it can be controlled to remove less than a ten-thousandth of an inch
from the surface.

The materials are passivated in the process, making them resilient against the elements and resistant to natural corrosion.

Celco’s Youtube Electropolishing Video

View Some Of Our Electropolishing Work

You can see picture of our work using the electropolishing process below and to view our whole image gallery click here.

 

Applications Of Electropolishing

It is often a preferred method of finishing for many industries due to the speed and precision at which parts – both simple and of complex shape – can be finished. Some of the many applications of electropolishing include:

  • Filter Housings – Filter housings often demand that their dimensions remain extremely close to factory specifications, within micro-inches, or the part may become useless. Electropolishing can provide a perfect polish without changing the dimensions beyond the factory specified limits.
  • Food & Beverage – The food and beverage industry requires high quality finishes on much of their equipment to ensure that they meet both the standards of their customers and the requirements of state and federal agencies. It provides a safe, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing equipment needed in highly regulated industries.
  • Medical – The medical industry is another that demands high quality and reliability to meet government regulations. Electropolishing is a great finishing solution that helps to create a surface that can be more effectively and completely sterilized.
  • Pharmaceuticals – Like the medical industry, pharmaceutical regulations are in place to protect consumers from the dangerous effects of poorly maintained, manufactured, and finished equipment. Electropolishing helps to eliminate contamination by poorly finished equipment.
  • Pipes & Piping – Piping of any kind often requires a passive interior to protect against rust and other types of corrosion. Electropolishing service is a hugely effective means of protecting the interior (and/or exterior) of pipes and fittings of almost any shape and size.
  • Semi-Conductors – Electrical components, such as semi-conductors, are often too small to polish by other means without risking damage to the product. Electropolishing is a fast and simple means of finishing these fragile components with a greatly reduced risk of damage.
  • Springs & Stampings – Springs and stampings are usually very sensitive and rely on precision resistance to work as they are intended. Harsh mechanical finishing and polishing can change the force of resistance and recoil in springs and stampings, making the more precise electropolishing method the most viable alternative.
  • Vacuum Components – As with many other of the components that use electropolishing as a finishing solution, vacuum components require precise dimensions to create an effective seal and work efficiently. Other forms of finishing may damage a vacuum component beyond repair.

The full range of electropolishing applications is too large to list – but nearly any component made of stainless steel, nickel alloy, aluminum, or carbon alloys can benefit from the electropolishing process. More exotic alloys, such as Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy may also be electropolished.

Benefits Of The Electropolishing Process

The greatest benefits of this advanced finishing method include:

  • Removing microscopic burrs and leveling on the surface of machined parts.
  • Leveling the peaks and valleys that are common on metal surfaces.
  • Creating a smooth surface to reduce friction and drag.
  • Relieving stress on the surface of the component.
  • Leaving a bright, mirror-like finish on most metal alloys.
  • Providing a more easily sterilized surface.

This type of finishing also helps to raise a metal component’s resistance to corrosion and rust by removing surface iron and enhancing the percentage of nickel and chromium. It is considered a vastly superior method of passivating metal surfaces to more conventional methods. In fact, some studies suggest that electropolishing may be up to 3,000% more effective.

How Much Does It Cost To Electropolish Stainless Steel?

You can read our article on the specifications we need to determine how much does electropolishing cost.

Helping People & Companies Around The World

Central Electropolishing Company has long been one of the electropolishing industry’s pioneers, innovators, and trusted authority. Our advanced electropolishing system has been so sought after that we have occasionally helped other industries improve their own passivation and electropolishing services.

Central Electropolishing Company takes great pride on our attention to detail, strict quality assurance, and quick turnaround – no matter what the size, shape, or quantity of the order. Our dedicated team tracks every piece from arrival at our facility until departure to safeguard your valuable components against damage or loss.

Contact our friendly service representatives today, and see for yourself why Celco Inc. has become a national leader in electropolishing.