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Electropolishing of High Speed Tool Steel?

Q. I would like info and/or suggestions on polishing options on some special thread forming taps I buy (0.190-64). I would like to smooth out the grinding marks on the taps to improve the surface finish yielded in the tapped holes made with the tool.

The material of the tap is M-2 HSS.

Is electropolishing a viable option with this type of steel?

Any replies and/or suggestions are appreciated.

David Aidnik
- Santa Barbara, California
1998

A. David:

Drills made from M2 steel have been successfully electropolished before, and we believe your taps should work, too. Please contact us directly to arrange for sample polishing.

We are listed in the suppliers section of this web site.

Ed Bayha
Metal Coating Process Corporation - Charlotte, North Carolina
1998

A. We offer an alternative to electropolishing for the purpose of surface refinement and micro deburring for metal cutting tools. It is a non-electrolytic physicochemical process that alters the tool surface to produce a negative skew profile and isotropic texture. The reactive chemistry performs very well on M-2 HSS material and is far more safe and environmentally friendly than electropolishing chemistries.

Regards,

Bill

Bill Boatright
- Morrisville, North Carolina
1998

Q. We want to reduce dia. of HSS core pin by electropolishing

Vinit Rajput
- Pune Maharrasta, India
March 29, 2012

A. Hi, Vinit.

Electropolishing is not electrochemical machining, and to my knowledge it is not practical to reduce the diameter of a pin by electropolishing it. But you might ask Ed Bayha to try a sample for you if this will be a regular project. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 29, 2012

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