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Electropolishing of bronze

We are seeking information as to the equipment required for an electropolishing operation. Little information seems available in Canada.

Karen Wandler
- Surrey, British Columbia
1998

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1998

Metal Finishing magazine had a series of articles several years ago. They may still have some of those issues.

Charles Faust (I think) wrote those articles and I believe he wrote a book (do not know the name).

Metal Coating Process Corp. can help you out, for a fee, as they teach a couple day school on the subject.

ASM sells a book that has a chapter on it.

Expensive but a very good reference for several things.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Dear sir,

I am in a very deep problem about the electropolishing of my components made up from phosphorous bronze. The colour required on the components should be golden or pink lustrous. I have done a lot of passivation etc but unsuccessful always. The most critical thing is that the surface should get pitting. Please solve my problem.

I will be very thankful to you.

Yogesh D [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Fine Metals - Panchkula, Haryana, India

Dear sirs,

We are propeller manufacturers, and we want to know about electropolishing for bronze propellers. About equipment, performance of this procedure and costs of all devices needed.

Yours faithfully and waiting for reply.

Joseph Fillol SerÛ
- Barcelona, Spain
2001

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December 16, 2011

Hi, Joseph.

There is an excellent chapter about electropolishing in the Electroplating Engineering Handbook.

According to Russian patent 777,089, a solution containing 72-89 H3PO4, 9-10 H2SO4, 01.-0.2 diphenylamine, 0. 1-0.3 mercaptobenzothiazole is used for beryllium bronze. Russian patent 802,413 suggests 830-860 orthophosphoric acid, 9-10 Cu orthophosphate, and 0.8-1 Na alkylsulphonate, g/l.

An article entitled "Electropolishing of single-phase Cu-Sn alloys in H3PO4", which ran in Surface Technology magazine in 1981 may be helpful.

You might consider contacting Metal Finishing Information Service in England for literature search tools or a custom literature search on this subject.

Good luck!

Regards,

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