| |
|
|
Metal Coating Process Corporation
|
| is a supplier of chemicals, equipment, and
process technology to electropolish stainless steels and other specialty metals. Our web site
outlines the process, shows typical equipment, and provides details
of our periodic training seminar entitled, "Principles of Electropolishing".
|
| |
|
Experience
|
| Our chemical and mechanical engineering capabilities
provide a solid foundation for the design of innovative process
equipment. More than twenty-five years of front line experience in solving
complex problems in materials, manufacturing, mechanical preparation,
fixturing, precleaning and post-treatment technologies have aided
in the development of a scientific approach to the technology of
electropolishing. We proudly represent the Hydrite® line of
electrolytes and auxiliary chemicals. |
| |
|
Mission
|
| We deliver and maintain a high level of commercial
and technical service to our current and future customers. Our seminar
and consulting services are the industry standard for education
and training. |
| |
|
Benefits of Electropolishing
|
| Electropolishing produces a number of favorable
changes in a metal part which are viewed as benefits to the buyer.
All of these attributes translate into selling advantages depending
upon the end use of the product. These include: |
•
Brightening
•
Burr removal
•
Total passivation
•
Oxide and tarnish removal
•
Reduction in surface profile
•
Removal of surface occlusions
•
Increased corrosion resistance
•
Increased ratio of chromium to iron
•
Improved adhesion in subsequent plating
•
Reduced buffing and grinding costs
•
Removal of directional lines
•
Radiusing of sharp edges
•
Reduced surface friction
•
Stress relieved surface
•
Removal of hydrogen
|
Electropolishing produces the most spectacular
results on 300 series stainless steels. The resulting finish often
appears bright, shiny, and comparable to the mirror finishes of
"bright chrome" automotive parts. On 400 series stainless
steels, the cosmetic appearance of the parts is less spectacular,
but deburring, cleaning, and passivation are comparable.
Solutions are available to electropolish most common metals. Notable
exceptions include cast alloys of zinc, aluminum, brass, bronze,
and carbon steel. Investment cast stainless steels may also be difficult
to electropolish to a satisfactory finish unless parts are solution
annealed after heat treating. In general, only the 200 and 300 series
stainless steels, certain tool steels, copper, and some single phase
brass alloys can be electropolished to mirror finishes. The principal
effects on other types of metal are deburring, smoothing, improvement
of surface finish, and increased adhesion of plated coatings.
Electropolishing produces a combination of properties which can
be achieved by no other method of surface finishing. Mechanical
grinding, belting, and buffing can produce beautiful mirror-like
results on stainless steel, but the processes are labor intensive
and leave the surface layer distorted, highly stressed, and contaminated
with grinding media. The passivation methods commonly employed produce
clean, corrosion resistant surfaces, but do not achieve the bright,
lustrous appearance obtained by electropolishing. The corrosion
resistance of electropolished stainless steel exceeds that of standard
passivation processes.
Electroplating can produce extremely bright finishes, but the finish
is a coating which can chip or wear off. Electroplated surfaces
may also exhibit hydrogen embrittlement which must be stress-relieved
in a separate step. Neither passivation nor electroplating can accomplish
burr removal.
Processes are available for chemical deburring and brightening of
steel and stainless steel, but these methods cannot match the surface
improvement produced by electropolishing. The corrosion resistance
produced by such processes is decidedly inferior to that produced
by electropolishing. |
|
