Electropolished Tube

Ronsco is a leading supplier of electropolished tube in China, enowned for our exceptional production standards, strict quality control, extensive inventory, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We specialize in supplying electropolished tube & pipe in various OD, ID, wall thickness and length, and cover a variety of materials such as austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, superalloy, pure nickel, nickel alloy, etc, to meet customers' needs for different projects.

In addition to on-demand production, we also offer an large inventory, regularly stock a variety of materials and specifications. Regardless of project size, we can all meet deadlines and deliver final products that meet or exceed industry standards.

Electropolishing is a surface finishing process that uses electrochemical principles to polish metal surfaces. By immersing the metal workpiece as the anode in a specific electrolyte solution and applying a direct current, the surface of the workpiece undergoes anodic dissolution, which removes microscopic irregularities and defects, resulting in a smooth and shiny surface. It can be divided into the following categories according to the type of electrolyte:

• Acidic Electropolishing: In acidic electropolishing, the workpiece is submerged in an electrolyte solution containing acids like sulfuric acid or nitric acid. Through selective dissolution, the metal surface is treated, with protruding areas dissolving faster than recessed regions due to higher current density. This process results in high surface quality, reduced mechanical damage, and the ability to polish complex geometries, widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and food processing.

• Alkaline Electropolishing: In alkaline electropolishing involves submerging the workpiece in an electrolyte solution containing a weakly corrosive alkaline like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and applying a direct current where the workpiece serves as the anode, selectively dissolves protruding areas on the metal surface, resulting in a smoother and more consistent finish. Additionally, alkaline electropolishing can enhance fatigue resistance and mechanical properties of the treated components. However, alkaline electropolishing results in slower material removal rates than acid electropolishing.

• Ionic Liquids Electropolishing: Ionic liquid electropolishing is an innovative and environmentally friendly surface treatment technology that utilizes ionic liquids as electrolytes to achieve high-quality surface finishing on a variety of metals. These liquids are non-flammable, have low toxicity, and exhibit excellent thermal stability and negligible vapor pressure, making them safer and more sustainable compared to traditional acid-based electrolytes. The use of ionic liquids enables enhanced control over electrochemical reactions, resulting in faster material removal rates and more uniform surface finishes.

• Step 1 - Surface Pre-treatment: Before electropolishing, the workpiece must be thoroughly pre-treated to remove oils, rust, and other contaminants from the surface. This usually involves mechanical grinding, chemical cleaning, or sandblasting. The quality of pre-treatment directly affects the effectiveness of the electrolytic polishing.

• Step 2 - Mounting and Electrolytic Cell Preparation: The pre-treated workpiece is mounted in the electrolytic cell, ensuring that it is fully immersed in the electrolyte and that current distribution is uniform. The electrolytic cell should be made of materials with good corrosion resistance and insulation properties.

• Step 3 - Electropolishing: The workpiece is immersed in the electrolyte and connected to a direct current power supply. The workpiece acts as the anode, while the cathode is typically a stainless steel or lead plate. Under the influence of the electric current, metal ions on the workpiece surface dissolve into the electrolyte, with protruding areas dissolving preferentially to achieve surface leveling. The parameters for electrolytic polishing (such as current density, voltage, temperature, and time) need to be adjusted according to the material of the workpiece and the desired finish.

• Step 4 - Rinsing: After polishing, the workpiece is immediately removed from the electrolytic cell and rinsed to remove residual electrolyte and electrochemical products from the surface. Rinsing methods include water washing, ultrasonic cleaning, or chemical cleaning.

• Step 5 - Post-processing: The polished workpiece is inspected for surface quality to ensure smoothness and absence of defects, meeting the required specifications.

Ronsco is a supplier with more than 28 years of experience in the metal tubes field, we always adheres to the business phiosophy of "customer-centered", tries its best to meet the requirements of customers and pursues win-win cooperation with customers. Are you looking for a reliable tubes manufacturer ! Contact Us Now! Email: manager@ronsteel.com