Electropolishing Capabilities

Large Vessels: With processing tanks up to 24 feet long, Electromatic can accommodate large chambers, tanks and pipes. For even larger sizes the vessel itself can be used as the containment for I.D. electropolishing.

Tubing: Smaller pipes and tubing 1/8" – 4" diameter are processed on the specially designed automated tube lines. The company was also the first to develop a method for electropolishing the inside of long, bent tubes for use on the Space Shuttle, and has adapted this process for other applications.

Long or Short Runs: We welcome jobs of all sizes. A large inventory of specially built racks makes it possible to undertake high-quality, economical processing of single pieces or large quantities.

Critical Parts: Electromatic provides special treatment and packaging necessary to meet the most stringent requirements.

Corrosion Testing: By maintaining an in-house laboratory equipped with salt-spray and high-humidity test cabinets, Electromatic is able to offer prompt corrosion testing with certification to ASTM A967-01e1 (which supersedes Federal Specification QQ-P-35), ASTM B-117 or other specifications.

"RM" Electrolytes: Although electropolishing can be accomplished in many different chemical baths, the choice of electrolyte is of prime importance. Over the years Electromatic has developed proprietary "RM" electrolytes for specific metal alloys, and these have proved unsurpassed in producing fine, uniform finishes.

Roughness Measurement: Various ratings are used in the measurement of surface roughness, but Ra expressed in microinches is the universally accepted parameter. Ra is the arithmetic mean of the deviations of the roughness profile from the mean line. At Electromatic, profilometers are available for measuring and recording the Ra of tubing and other components where smoothness is critical.

Certification: Certifications of compliance to applicable manufacturers' specifications or to our own #7-2 Electropolishing specification are supplied at no extra charge. Also available from our laboratory is certification for salt-spray, high-humidity and copper sulfate corrosion testing.

Passivation: Electromatic passivates parts to customers' specifications or to ASTM Specification A967, including the required testing. While not offering the advantages of electropolishing, passivation improves corrosion-resistance by the removal of inclusions and free iron from the surface of the metal, and may be adequate for certain applications. As only an acid solution bath is required, without electrical current, the process is relatively economical.

The most common treatment uses a nitric acid, or nitric-dichromate bath, at differing temperatures dependent on the alloy being processed.

Other Operations: Various other metal-finishing services are provided by Electromatic, including alkaline cleaning, pickling, bead blasting and brush electropolishing.

Environmental Concerns: A waste treatment is in place to handle the hazardous residue of the electropolishing process. Not only is Electromatic in strict compliance with all applicable EPA and local regulations, but for environmental, as well as economic reasons, all of the metal-bearing waste is recycled.

Experience: For 30 years, Electromatic has been serving the needs of industry, and during this time has acquired the practical experience for dealing with any type of product.

Successful electropolishing depends on a number of factors, including the knowledge and skill of the operator. The design of tooling is one example where experience counts. The operator must not only construct fixtures for holding the workpiece, but at the same time must provide cathodes conforming to the configuration of the part in order to obtain uniform current density – often a quite complex set-up. The technicians at Electromatic have extensive experience in selecting the correct standard racking or producing custom-built devices.

As an added service, our engineers are willing to work with you to solve any special problems relating to the finishing of your products, and to offer suggestions on how to modify your manufacturing processes to achieve the best results.

Delivery Time: The average turnaround time is five days after receipt of material. Expedited service is available on request.

Quotations and Samples: Send us a blueprint or sketch for a prompt price quotation. We will also gladly run samples for your evaluation at no charge.