Letter 28043

Electro polishing technology  

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I am a manufacturer of surgical instruments. I am interested in electro polishing my surgical instruments. Can anyone please give me the formula for the chemical composition of the bath as well as machine specifications and requirements? Thanks for your efforts in advance.

Rajesh Shoney
Manufacturer - Pondicherry, India

There are many different electropolishing solutions for stainless steel. The most extensive conveniently available list is in The Electroplating Engineering Handbook. There are also electropolishing chapters in the Metal Finishing Guidebook and ASM Metals's Handbook, Vol. 5, Surface Engineering. The AESF (www.aesf.org) has an illustrated lecture on electropolishing.

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

Dear Mr Shoney,

Sorry for not replying after visiting your factory on 6th January.

My concern with suggesting a chemical process for brightening and passivating SS is that your products are used in Surgeries and chromic containing chemistries that are carcinogenic; are not a good idea according to me.

I would suggest that you continue your mechanical buffing, cleaning operations with its difficulties and conclude the process with an Ultrasonic Cleaner. Maybe anyone else here may suggest a safe process.

Khozema Vahanwala Saify Ind   Bangalore, Karnataka, India

There is an alternative to chromic-acid-based electropolishing. Non-acid saline based electropolishing will polish to mirror finish 300- and 400-series stainless steel. There will be no need for additional passivation step.

Anna Berkovich Russamer Lab Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Does anybody know preparation of stainless steel electropolishing mixture? We want to prepare it in our laboratory. Is this possible?

There are alternatives. For example: phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, chromic acid etc.

We are not sure about the percentages. What might be?

Which one is the best for following issues: performance, economical, environmental, occupational health, easy to applicate & prepare.

Regards

Ayca CAKIR
healthcare products - Turkey

Looking for the chemical composition and metals in electropolishing solution for electro polishing 300 and 400 stainless steel. Also the specific gravity, percent of the acids, water content, metals.
Thank you,

Joseph Clyde Smith
metal finishing - Vicksburg, Michigan, USA

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