Electropolishing vs. PassivationHere is some information about manufacturing.
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What is Passivation?
Passivating a part means using a process that reduces the chemically reactive properties of its surface. Even though stainless steel has the ability to passivate naturally, there are some additional treatments that can be applied to the part to passivate it better and faster. www.ableelectropolishing.com/services/passivation
As the part will be cleaner, a stronger chromium oxide protective coating can form everywhere on its surface. While passivation works very well for most stainless steel products, it isn't a universal solution. Some stainless steel grades don't contain enough chromium and nickel., making them poor candidates for passivation. The process is also not recommended for brazed or welded parts. See here for info about used hp-packaging.com equipment.
Passivating a part means using a process that reduces the chemically reactive properties of its surface. Even though stainless steel has the ability to passivate naturally, there are some additional treatments that can be applied to the part to passivate it better and faster. www.ableelectropolishing.com/services/passivation
As the part will be cleaner, a stronger chromium oxide protective coating can form everywhere on its surface. While passivation works very well for most stainless steel products, it isn't a universal solution. Some stainless steel grades don't contain enough chromium and nickel., making them poor candidates for passivation. The process is also not recommended for brazed or welded parts. See here for info about used hp-packaging.com equipment.
What Is Electropolishing and How Is It Different From Passivation?
Electropolishing uses electricity to remove a small layer of metal, typically less than 40 μm in thickness, from the steel surface of the part undergoing the process. It involves immersing the part in a solution that can carry electric current.
A metal conductor is immersed, acting as the cathode, with the part acting as the anode. Once the circuit is completed, electropolishing can begin. The metal will be released ion by ion.
The electropolishing process thoroughly cleans and passivates the part at the same time. As an entire layer of metal is removed from the part, any contaminants on its surface will be gone as well. Electropolishing is used in applications where maximal resistance to corrosion is required, as it gives the part around 30 times more resistance than just passivation.
When used on an impeller, the process gets rid of micro-crevices and burrs on its surface, giving it a highly uniform finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoy48omaO6w
Electropolishing uses electricity to remove a small layer of metal, typically less than 40 μm in thickness, from the steel surface of the part undergoing the process. It involves immersing the part in a solution that can carry electric current.
A metal conductor is immersed, acting as the cathode, with the part acting as the anode. Once the circuit is completed, electropolishing can begin. The metal will be released ion by ion.
The electropolishing process thoroughly cleans and passivates the part at the same time. As an entire layer of metal is removed from the part, any contaminants on its surface will be gone as well. Electropolishing is used in applications where maximal resistance to corrosion is required, as it gives the part around 30 times more resistance than just passivation.
When used on an impeller, the process gets rid of micro-crevices and burrs on its surface, giving it a highly uniform finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoy48omaO6w
This smoother finish not only promotes the creation of a much stronger protective layer against corrosion, but also reduces places on the part where bacteria and other contaminants can hide and proliferate. As impellers are often used in applications where clean working parts are very important, such as in food, beverage or pharmaceutical production, they're often sold already electropolished by industrial equipment suppliers.