Lab scale electropolish

[Bill]

I recall a lab-scale procedure for electropolishing small stainless
parts (size of a paperclip or smaller). I seem to remember it was
done in sulphuric acid (12N) with carbon electrodes and ~100 mA
current, although all of the numbers above are from memory and likely
wrong.

Does anyone have any guidelines regarding how to electropolish small
stainless parts? Thanks!

Bill

 

[Sir Charles W. Shults III]

I recall a lab-scale procedure for electropolishing small stainless
parts (size of a paperclip or smaller). I seem to remember it was
done in sulphuric acid (12N) with carbon electrodes and ~100 mA
current, although all of the numbers above are from memory and likely
wrong.

Does anyone have any guidelines regarding how to electropolish small
stainless parts? Thanks!

Google turns up 3,950 hits for electropolish. That might be a good
place to start.

Cheers!

Sir Charles W. Shults III, K. B. B.
Xenotech Research
321-206-1840

 

[Bill]

Google turns up 3,950 hits for electropolish. That might be a good
place to start.

Cheers!

Sir Charles W. Shults III, K. B. B.
Xenotech Research
321-206-1840

Of those 3950 hits... 3900 are commercial products or services in
nature. I thought I had a good start anyway!

I was hoping more for a reply like "sure... just take a variac and a
120 to 12 volt transformer, bridge rectifier and a coupple of
capacitors and carbon electrodes from an old dry cell battery and
current limiting resistor and electropolish away!". At least you
posted.. thanks anyway!

Bill

 

[John Popelish]

I recall a lab-scale procedure for electropolishing small stainless
parts (size of a paperclip or smaller). I seem to remember it was
done in sulphuric acid (12N) with carbon electrodes and ~100 mA
current, although all of the numbers above are from memory and likely
wrong.

Does anyone have any guidelines regarding how to electropolish small
stainless parts? Thanks!

Bill

This reference does not explain all the chemistry but reviews all the
steps necessary:
http://www.electropolish.com/pubs/process_steps.pdf

 

[John Fields]

I recall a lab-scale procedure for electropolishing small stainless
parts (size of a paperclip or smaller). I seem to remember it was
done in sulphuric acid (12N) with carbon electrodes and ~100 mA
current, although all of the numbers above are from memory and likely
wrong.

Does anyone have any guidelines regarding how to electropolish small
stainless parts? Thanks!

 

[Bill]

Thanks to all for replies. I finally found the following procedure if
anone is interested:

Variable DC supply, 0-24V to 1A
Solutin og 60% phosporic acid, 20% sulphuric acid, and 20% water as
electrolyte
Stainless rod to serve as cathode, part to be polished attached to
anode
Start with 100 mA for a few seconds; inspect part with magnifier

We'll see how it turns out!

Bill