Electro-Refinement™
The most efficient and cost-effective surface treatment is ElectroRefinement™ (electropolishing).
Electropolishing as a surface treatment method was developed in the 1930’s. Even though electropolishing can be used on many alloys, by far the greatest use is in the treatment of stainless steel.
Quality electropolishing has far greater results than a mere polishing effect. It refines the actual surface hence the phrase ElectroRefinement™.
During the electrolytic process about 20-30 micrometer of the surface is removed through an electrolytic reaction. Macro-smoothing happens as this process attacks the peaks more than the valleys.
The amorphous deformed surface layer (formed by milling and mechanical polishing), is completely removed together with the entrapped impurities, exposing the parent metal with all its benefits such as cleanliness, corrosion resistance, smoothness etc.
The ElectroRefinement™ process preferentially removes Iron1 molecules therefore resulting in a lesser surface concentration of iron and iron-oxide and a relative higher concentration of Chrome. Upon exposure to oxygen this forms a high quality, passive chrome-oxide rich surface layer2.
ElectroRefined surfaces are free from imperfections and easy to clean and sterilise.
On an ElectroRefined surface there are few places where a particle, contaminant or micro-organism3 can attach itself.
Benefits of Electro Refinement
Cost Effective
- Maximises design life
- Decreases turn-around time
- Minimises recalls and revisions
Complete Surface Passivation
- Elimination of free iron promotes the growth of chrome-oxides [passive chrome oxide layer]
- ALL surfaces, not only weld affected surfaces, are passivated
Treatment of Irregular Structures and Profiles
- Irregular shapes can be reached and treated; e.g. wire, tubing, perforated material and mesh
Reduces Surface Roughness
- Reduced roughness average (RA) prevents surface contamination
- Cleaner surface promotes formation of the passive chrome-oxide layer
- Hygienic and easy to clean
Environmental Performance
- Chemical waste is kept to a minimum and does not require specialist treatment
- The electrolyte is infinite – it’s used over and over again
1 Laboratory analysis has shown that the preferential removal
of iron happens at a rate of at least 7 times that of chrome and other
elements
2 As determined by Electron Spectroscopy
3 Bacterial growth and biofilm formation has been determined
by spectrophotometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Electro-Shine
- ABN: 54 287 157 649 Directors: Terry & Laurette Johns
- Address:
- Unit 9 / 60 Fearnley St, Portsmith, Cairns, Tropical North Queensland, Australia
- Postal:
- PO Box 660, Bungalow, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
- Phone:
- 0408 02 06 08 International: +61 408 02 06 08
- Fax:
- (07) 4041 3737 International: +61 7 4041 3737