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Precision in Electropolishing

ELECTROPOLISHING OF STAINLESS STEELS

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As a manufacturer of surgical instruments, Innotool & Greminger is a typical user of this electrochemical surface treatment process. Medical devices are sterilised after every use. In order to ensure that any risk of dirt or residues is kept to a minimum, the microroughness of the material surface is reduced through electropolishing.
Other advantages are the deburring, shining and passivation of the finished products and the increased corrosion resistance. Electropolishing is often used in the pharmaceutical industry, in biotechnology and laboratory technology, and in food processing. In these areas, it is particularly important that electropolished surfaces are easy to clean.

PROCESS STEPS
In order to achieve the best possible result, the following three process steps are required:
Pre-treatment: 
Cleaning (ultrasonic), rinsing
Electropolishing: 
Electropolishing, neutralisation, rinsing
Post-treatment: 
Nitric acid treatment, rinsing, hot rinsing, drying


Basically, with electropolishing, the workpiece is connected to the positive pole of a power source, thus forming the anode. The negative pole is connected to an electrode, i.e. the workpiece suspension made of titanium or copper forms the cathode. The workpiece is then immersed in an electrolyte and a closed circuit is created using direct current. The electrolyte (as a conductor) causes metal ions to be removed from the workpiece. On burrs and other protruding structures, this removal is increased, which rounds off or levels these areas.
 

MATERIAL GRADES
The Innotool electropolishing process has been validated for the following material:

  • 1.4021


  • 1.4034


  • 1.4057

  • 1.4112


  • 1.4301

  • 1.4305


  • 1.4435


  • 1.4534

  • 1.4542
     

SCOPE OF SERVICES
Our in-house small-scale electroplating equipment has the following capacities:

  • Basin size 300 x 500 x 600 mm

  • Ultrasonic cleaning, electropolishing, passivation

  • Small dryer 750 x 650 x 500 mm

 

You can also take advantage of the following additional services if required:

  • Sand / glass bead blasting

  • Barrel finishing / vibratory grinding

  • Laser marking 


DO YOU HAVE SIMILAR APPLICATIONS?
We would love to finish your products! Please provide us with the following information:

  • Material number

  • The desired appearance (and an original sample if required)

  • Possible areas for the contact points

  • Tolerances

  • Requirements under any applicable standards, inspection reports

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