Letter 36070

Electropolishing vs Brite Dipping  

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What is the difference between electropolishing aluminum and say 201 R5 Brite dipping?

Dianne Mickey
Aluminum - NC

In terms of process, electropolishing of aluminum, like electropolishing of any other metal, involves applying electricity to the part to cause its asperities to dissolve into the solution and leave a smooth reflective surface. Whereas R5 bright dipping involves using nitric-phosphoric acid, without electricity, to chemically polish the aluminum. In terms of results, bright dipping is less expensive and is ideal for many products including reflectors for lamps and lights of all sorts; but electropolishing, especially of high purity aluminum, provides the ultimate in reflectivity and specularity for precision items like telescope mirrors.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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