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Is electropolishing an improved kind of plating?




Q. I am quite impressed with the quality of information this site provides. I have gone through some questions and their answers, which have been of great help to me to understand the finishing process.

I need to understand the difference between electroplating and electropolishing? Which of the two is more cost effective and which has a longer resistance ?

Shiv Jain
forgings - INDIA
2007



2007

thumbs up signThank you for the kind words, cousin Shiv. Yes, this site is blessed to have a cadre of regular contributors who respond to the inquiries here -- and from whom I and readers like yourself learn every day.

These "regulars" have not only answered thousands of finishing questions, but their generosity & helpfulness has enabled me to hold the world's best job for almost 20 years now. So, before addressing your question, let me pause for a moment and let Bob Dylan and George Harrison express my heartfelt thanks to our "regulars" .

A. Electroplating involves depositing a layer of metal onto another surface. Some examples would be the ubiquitous zinc plating of steel fasteners for corrosion resistance and clean appearance, the nickel-chrome plating of plastic automobile grills, gold plating of electronic contacts, and silver plating of flatware.

Electropolishing operates at reverse polarity from electroplating and involves the electrolytic removal of metal from a surface. Stainless steel is the most commonly electropolished material, and the reason for electropolishing it is to smooth the surface and to enrich it with chrome. It's not just for decoration, but for cleanliness in places like dairies and pharmaceutical packaging. Aluminum is also frequently electropolished for smoothness and reflectivity, as in telescope mirrors.

Scientists tell us that a fractal, such as a coastline, looks essentially the same regardless of the level of magnification. Similarly, a mechanically polished surface resembles a plowed field and always will, regardless of the fineness of the abrasive -- it's just a matter of what magnification you need to use to best see the furrowed field. Electropolishing dissolves away the clods, generating a smoother, more sanitary surface which, at high magnification, resembles ocean swells rather than plowed fields.

So now you will understand that I can't really answer your question about cost effectiveness and durability because electroplating and electropolishing are very different. Welcome to the forum and please try to help others with their problems; it's one of the best ways to learn :-)

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



Q. We need to know the full process of electro polishing. We are engaged in manufacturing ss pipe fittings items through INVESTMENT CASTING PROCESS or [lost wax process]. So we need to polish our product as we want to sell it directly to the market. We need to know the full process of electropolishing including RECTIFIER SPECIFICATION. As we are new please guide us properly so that we can achieve our target.

VIVEK DUTTA
DEBOLA FOUNDRY - BURDWAN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
March 26, 2016


A. Hi Vivek. To acquire a good understanding of electropolishing you can contact a specialist in the subject who offers training courses. There is a 20-page chapter in the Electroplating Engineering Handbook [on AbeBooks or eBay or Amazon] which is an excellent introduction to the topic. A 12 volt rectifier can probably handle your parts; 200 ASF is probably enough to avoid etching, but there's a lot to it including selecting the electrolyte first, so you may want to retain a consultant to cut down on the development time. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 2016




Is there a current trend between electropolishing vs. nickel-chrome plating?

Q. Hi, can you tell me if there is a trend in the manufacturing world today between electropolishing and electroplating (Nickel and/or Chrome plating)?

Paul Gnap
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
April 11, 2016




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