Electropolishing (Available Dec 1, 2021)
Electropolishing is an effective way to passivate a stainless steel surface. This process creates a passive surface, enhancing corrosion resistance and reducing particle generation.
An electric current is run between two cathodes through a tank of electrolyte, an acidic fluid, and the component to be polished is immersed in the fluid to form the anode. When the current is switched on, metallic ions from the peaks on the surface of the component move to the cathodes, creating a very smooth finished surface.
As well as creating a smooth, clean surface, electropolishing also enriches the upper chromium layer of the steel so that any impurities, which might have developed in the manufacturing process, are very easy to detect, facilitating inspection and quality-control procedures.