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Fine finished stainless disks

2002

Hey all,

I am having a lot of problem trying to electropolish 316 stainless steel from a satin brushed finish created by 1200 grit paper. I need to produce a high quality mirror like finish on one face of a 35 mm and 85 mm diameter disk that is 3 mm thick. I'm only new to this and after info in currents optimum bath solutions and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Gareth Crook
Australian National University - Canberra, Australia

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2002

I don't think you are proceeding correctly in trying to produce a reflective finish by electropolishing a brushed finish; I think you need to mechanically polish first.

Some very important things about electropolishing are that air agitation is required, and the polishing current must be quite high (about 100 ASF); lower than that, the surface will etch instead of polish.

Most of the "must have" books include a chapter on electropolishing, including the Metal Finishing Guidebook, the Electroplating Engineering Handbook [on AbeBooks or eBay or Amazon] , and ASM Metals Handbook Volume 5.

But why not send it out for electropolishing by professionals?

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