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Stainless Steel Polishing Problems

I am polishing stainless steel and I have a problem with hydrogen bubbles appearing in the surface. I believe this is caused from heat in the polishing process. How can I prevent this? Your comments would be appreciated.

Regards,

Paul Clancy
Austal Ships - Henderson, Western Australia, Australia
2001

A. I thought that most electro-polishing was done with the work anodic. Thus you get oxygen produced. Also I thought this was normal. I find the best thing to do with electro-polishing is steer well clear of it! If you wish to do electro-polishing may I suggest your next question is - where can I find out about electro-polishing?

One thing to do about the bubbles may be to agitate the work manually.

Martin Trigg-Hogarth
surface treatment shop - Stroud, Glos, England

A. As a ferrous metallurgist, I can't accept an explanation of "heat of grinding" producing such bubbles from within the metal. What grade of stainless? What form (eg, sheet, plate, casting)? What size "bubbles"?

Are we talking mechanical polishing here, or electropolishing?

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.

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