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 49568
Need mirror polish and corrosion resistance
on 316 [Wisconsin]
August 3, 2008
Hello,
I have an application where I am looking for both a mirror finish and
corrosion resistance in a salt air environment. The part is a
decorative bezel on an LED light mounted on the deck of a pleasure
boat. The parts are machined from 316 SS. I polished them
mechanically, then had them electropolished, but the finish is not
good enough cosmetically. The customer wants a mirror polished
surface. I buffed them post EP, but my understanding is that the
electropolish is now gone... BUT, I have also been lead to beleive
that a mirror polish in itself will aid in fighting
corrosion...
So my question: Are there any post polish processes that will aid
corrosion resistance but wont knock the mirror finish off? This is a
larger boat and regular maintenance (within reason) to polish these
is not out of the question...
Thank you in advance for your help....
David Venhaus
Small biz owner - Wauwatosa, WI
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August 6, 2008
Buffing followed by electopolish should produce a near
mirror finish along with excellent passivation.
I'd suggest you work with your electropolisher, or another
electropolisher, to see what can be done.
The parts may have been EP'd too long, or other factors,
bath chemistry, temp, CD may not be optimum for
brightness.
Buffing followed by straight nitric acid passivation should
work too.
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Jeffrey Holmes,
CEF
- Spartanburg, SC, USA
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August 6, 2008
Humid and salty air is very aggressive, but a good
copper+nickel+chrome multiple layer such as the one used for
OEM car bumpers will last a good while without maintenance
beyond washing it regularly. Its brightness will also be
unbeatable.
Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
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August 26, 2008
Following up your polishing (either mechanical or EP) with
passivation will increase your corrosion resistance. If you use
citric acid passivation you won't have to worry about accidentally
ruining the surface finish. Let us know if we can help.
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