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Environmentally safe electrolytes
What are the available non toxic electrolytes currently available for electropolishing 316L SS.
Silas Upton
- San Jose, California, USA
There are two completely different types of environmentally safe electropolishing methods for stainless steel: the first method mostly used for not very large objects, like medical instruments. Polishing time is few minutes. Voltage applied is relatively high. Special equipment is required.
The second method can be used for metal parts of any sizes, but the most advantages is obtained for large, hard to evenly polish metal parts. No special equipment is required. This method uses low voltage, time to polish 20-40 minutes. Both methods use salty solution as electrolyte. There is no waste water problem. No fumes are produced. Electrolytes are safe for employees.
Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab -
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(ed. update July, 2025: sorry, Anna has retired)
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