Electropolishing is a finishing process that enhances the quality of metal surfaces.

It involves the removal of a superficial layer from a material.

Although it may seem counterintuitive to proceed with electropolishing after pickling and passivation treatments, this process further refines the surface by removing even the smallest imperfections.

The technique used in electropolishing is galvanic, where the surface layer is removed ion by ion electrolytically.

The Necessary Steps

The precision of the electropolishing process is clear: the layer removed from stainless steel is only a few microns thick.

Before electropolishing, the object undergoes a thorough cleaning phase, which may include degreasing, pickling, and passivation treatments.

These steps are crucial to ensure a contaminant-free surface. Only then can electropolishing achieve a uniform removal layer, resulting in surface roughness leveling and micro-burr elimination. Additionally, it removes surface micro-inclusions, making the surface easier to clean and sanitize.

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Metals
We Treat

Titanium

Nickel Alloys

Bama conducts electropolishing through immersion. The object is placed in a tank containing an electrolyte and connected to an anode. A direct current generated by a rectifier and conveyed through specific cathodes interacts with the object's surface, promoting the electropolishing phenomenon.

Bama has recently developed new technologies for out-of-tank electropolishing and mass electropolishing of small parts. These innovations allow for selective electropolishing of parts of an object that cannot be immersed and for reducing delivery times and costs for small items.

Electropolishing is carried out using various systems at Bama’s Turbigo facility. This includes an automatic multistage system for small and medium-sized parts and three semi-automatic tanks for larger items. Bama can also perform electropolishing treatments on-site when the object cannot be transported.

Electropolishing treatment complies with ASTM B912 - 02 (2018)
Standard Specification for Passivation of Stainless Steels Using Electropolishing