Brushed + Electropolished (Ra0.8µm, 32µin)
Electropolishing gives parts a shinier appearance and makes them easier to clean and more resistant to corrosion. It also deburrs the surface roughness of stainless steel on a microscopic level (up to 10µm).
Requirement | Specification |
---|---|
Surface preparation | Brushed |
Color | Natural metal color |
Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic by default |
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/q2hzfkp3j57e/7MM8P2mMr11LK1wBCONWSo/73916a466ed55a1adaf2c14ac103a57f/Brushed_electropolished__1_.webp?fm=jpg&w=1200&h=1200&q=82)
Example of a brushed + electropolished part
![Example of a brushed part in stainless steel](http://images.ctfassets.net/q2hzfkp3j57e/7LfKlPDCP3o0iAYHCjy2Q/4a7a808c18100e2e4cd78e95a69ba3b1/DSC00273-Edit.webp?w%3d400%26h%3d400%26fm=png)
![Example of a brushed part in Stainless steel](http://images.ctfassets.net/q2hzfkp3j57e/2HgGepfLv0VUPOvmCJQAr0/cba65eaff6e9fd512cef9a37f630ecc9/DSC00432.webp?w%3d400%26h%3d400%26fm=png)
The Protolabs Network brushing + electropolishing process
Here’s how to apply brushing and electropolishing:
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The part’s surface is cleaned and prepared by power brushing
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The metal part being electropolished (aka anode) is connected to the positive terminal of a direct current (DC) rectifier and submerged in a tank of an electrolyte solution. The negative terminal of the rectifier is connected to a cathode (usually stainless steel) that is also submerged in the tank
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A current runs through the solution from the anode to the cathode, causing ions on the surface of the material to oxidize and dissolve into the solution
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Parts are then rinsed from the electrolyte solution in a different tank
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To finalize the finish, parts go through a final post-dip in a Nitric dip or a Citric acid, rinsed with cold water and are put to dry
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/q2hzfkp3j57e/KS7y3zbi8a7ZJOJILtCHJ/8f71d7c7583a2b3caeddc465e8b4b56b/000_09_04_Electropolishing.webp)
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