Each custom metal part manufacturing project has unique specifications, such as dimension, number of parts, type of alloy, among others.
When you want to have metal parts, which have a good surface finish and improve some of its functional properties such as fatigue resistance or corrosion, a good alternative is to use some of the surface treatments such as electropolishing, MetalCast can provide.
Electropolishing is a surface treatment by which the metal to be polished acts as an anode in an electrolytic cell, dissolving itself. With the application of current, a polarized film is formed on the metal surface under treatment, allowing the metal ions to diffuse through the film. The micro and macro projections, or high points of the rough surface, as well as areas with burrs, are areas of higher current density than the rest of the surface, and dissolve at a higher speed, resulting in a smoother, more level and/or bevelled surface. Simultaneously, and under controlled conditions of current intensity and temperature, a polishing of the surface takes place.
In alloys, such as stainless steel, there is also the additional advantage that, since iron is a metal that dissolves easily, the content of chromium and nickel on the surface is increased, thus increasing resistance to corrosion.
En una escala macroscópica, el contorno de una superficie maquinada se puede considerar como una serie de picos y valles. La profundidad de los mismos y la distancia entre los picos dependen de los métodos utilizados para producir la superficie.
On a microscopic scale, the surface is even more complex, with small irregularities superimposed on the peaks and valleys.
In order to produce a truly smooth surface, both types of irregularities (macroscopic and microscopic) must be eliminated.
Thus, the functions of an ideal polishing process can be distinguished as
a) Smoothing: elimination of large scale irregularities (size greater than 1 micron)
b) Polishing: removal of small irregularities smaller than a few hundredths of a micron.
SOME ADVANTAGES OF ELECTROPOLISHING
Focused on stainless steel, the use of this process allows to obtain smooth and shiny surfaces, with sanitary conditions, due to the absence of scratches that prevent access to cleaning products and become sources of contamination by microorganisms.
From the technical and economic point of view, the electrochemical polishing allows
- Treat large, irregularly shaped pieces in a short time and with great labor savings.
- To increase the resistance to corrosion since the process allows to eliminate the superficial layers formed by lamination and polishing works, leaving on the finished surface an extremely thin and transparent layer of chrome and nickel oxides that confers an excellent passivity in relation to numerous chemical reagents.
- Eliminate the coloration due to welding or heating processes, saving the manual process of its elimination. It should be noted, however, that if a uniform finish is desired, a previous pickling with the deoxidizer-passivator provided by our Company should be carried out.
- Decrease the tendency of liquids and solids to adhere to the surface, improving the cleaning and draining aspects of them, very important aspects in heat exchangers, evaporators, etc.
- Polishing intricate shaped parts, where mechanical polishing is inaccessible This can be achieved in a single treatment, providing a uniform appearance across the surface, which would be difficult to achieve by conventional methods.
- Decrease the time and cost of polishing, due to the possibility of process automation, savings in inputs and labor.
APPLICATIONS
According to the characteristics of the electropolishing process explained above, some of the possible users are
- Food industry in general, mainly dairy, beer, wine and refrigeration.
- Chemical, plastic, mechanical, photographic, textile and leather industries
- Manufacturers of surgical and dental instruments.
- Manufacturers of machines and elements for the paper industry
- Manufacturers of optical elements, medical prosthesis, packaging machines, marine accessories, cutting tools, etc.
At Metalcast, we have this surface treatment (electropolishing) for your metal parts.
As producers of custom-made metal parts, produced by the investment casting technique, we can participate in projects of parts with very different characteristics.
Contact our team to identify the elements necessary for your custom metal parts production project to have the characteristics you are looking for for your company.
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