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Electropolishing

I would like to know if there are any good books on electropolishing which get right into the nuts and bolts of it all. Specifically on 304 stainless. We are in the process of possibly getting into this and would like to be very well informed before we start. Thanks.

Bud M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Wellington, Ohio
2003

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2003

Hi, Bud. The Metal Finishing Guidebook has 7 pages on the subject; the Electroplating Engineering Handbook [on AbeBooks or eBay or Amazon] has 20 pages, the ASM Metals Handbook, Volume 5 has 7 pages.

AESF at NASF once had a very good "Illustrated Lecture" on the subject, although I don't see it anymore. I have seen books specifically about electropolishing but they are apparently out of print and I don't have any other details. You may be able to find something in a specialty library. Good luck!

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

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Charles Faust did a very nice series of articles about 20 years ago in either Metal Finishing or the AESF magazine. You might be able to get reprints.

A couple of the companies that sell material also have classes basics and self serving.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

Ed. note: It was definitely Metal Finishing magazine. Thanks, James!

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2003

There are a few books on the subject, but they are rather dated in comparison to the general references cited by Mr. Mooney:

Electropolishing, Anodising and Electrolytic Pickling of Metals. by FedotÑev, Nikolai Pavlovich and Grilikhes, Semen Yakovlevich [translated by A. Behr]. 285 pages. Robert Draper: Teddington, 1959. ISBN: 0852180012. Available Library of Congress, British National Library and Univ. Calif.-Berkeley (Engin.).

 

The Electrolytic and Chemical Polishing of Metals in Research and Industry by Tegart, W. J. 139 pages, appendices, index, bibliography, photogr plates, illustrations, Publisher: Pergamon 1959. ISBN: 111461162X

 

Electrolytic and Chemical Polishing of Metals by Shchigolev, P. V., 258 pp., Freund Publishing House, Holon, Israel 1970.

 

Electrolytic Polishing And Bright Plating Of Metals by Wernick, S. 243 pages, includes bibliography on electropolishing of various metals, ALVIN REDMAN LTD., London 1948.

 

I suggest visiting electropolishing jobshops; there are 12 'Jobshops' below that list electropolishing. Also, get information from the 'Chemical & Consumables' link, 4 of them list electropolishing. Some chemical suppliers offer training (presuming you use their chemistry and/or equipment). A number of these use modern techniques not covered in the books.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.

Ed. note: Great references, Ken. Thanks!