Electro Polishing, Cleaning and Etching

Prepared By : Ankita Aggarwal Roll No - 926

Introduction
Electro dissolution processes are basically non spontaneous i.e. consumption of electricity occurring on Anode. The following 3 are imp types of Anodic Electrodissolution.

1. Electro Polishing. 2. Electro Cleaning. 3. Electrolytic Etching.

Electro Polishing
The process of electro polishing is the controlled anodic dissolution of metals (alloys, intermetallic compounds, etc.) which remarkably improves surface properties of metals. Electrolytic polishing is the production of a bright reflective on a metal and it is controlled by following factors: composition of the electrolyte, current density, voltage and temp.

Principle of Electro polishing

C u r r e n t d

Current density v/s relationship graph is shown

potential

B C D

e n s i t y A

Portion AB: This is known as Region of etching. Here metal is removed unevenly with the result that specimen is etched. Portion CD: This portion is known as Working region. Here Current density becomes constant for all values of voltage. Up to D polishing occurs.

Potential

Portion DE: This portion is known as Region of pitting and uneven polishing. When voltage exceeds D, oxygen evolution starts at the surface of the specimen resulting in the formation of pitting on the surface.

Principle of Electro polishing

(Cont..)
Hence here the voltage is controlled within the values CD, if the values are below C, etching occurs and if it is greater than D then pitting occurs.
B C D

C u r r e n t d

e n s i t y

A Potential

However, for many metals, alloys, etc., the best electro polishing results are obtained beyond this plateau under oxygen evolution conditions. The best example is most often industrially used electro polishing process for electro polishing austenitic stainless steels, which are carried out under oxygen evolution regime.

Experimental Set-up
Here the specimen to be polished serves as anode and plate of stainless steel is the cathode. A direct current with given density is passed through electrolyte. Localized dissolution of the surface irregularities takes place and a bright surface is obtained on the specimen.

Advantages
No distortion of the surface , during electropolishing, no mechanical work is performed on the metal. The surface has essentially same structure. Less time consumption Lesser cost Better appearance Better corrosion resistance Better emissivity

Disadvantages
Not applicable to Gray Cast Iron Difficult to perform on some metal like Al, Sn etc Critical adjustment of terminal voltage for some metals Removal of non- metallic inclusions Certain defects and not removed

Applications
Micrographic control of surfaces of metals and semi-conductors both in lab and in industry For preparation of surfaces for electro-plating

For giving good surface finish to mechanically worked pieces

Frequently used as a very powerful procedures for electrolytic dissolution for edging off, cutting and drilling

Applications

( Cont..)

Decorative applications Electro-polished stainless steel drums of washing machines and stainless steel surgical devices UHV (Ultra High Vacuum) components are typically eletropolished in order to have a smoother surface for improved vacuum pressures, out gassing rates, and pumping speed.

Electro Cleaning
In order to have an adherent deposit, the articles to be electroplated are firstly cleaned by electro cleaning methods. It is done be electrolysis of water solution of alkaline salt, making the work piece as anode. It is preferred over chemical cleaning because it is much faster process and saves a lot of time in cleaning.

Principle
It consists of making the part to be cleaned either the anode in a water solution of alkaline salt through which direct current is passed. Due to this H2 or O2 gas is liberated by the electrolyte decomposition, which creates agitation in the cleaning solution. It also exerts a lifting action on the oil mechanically. Thus cleaning is affected by removal of oil which is done due to scouring effect and mechanical agitations of gases liberated at the anode, dipped in electrolytic bath.

Advantages of anodic over cathodic reaction:

Better cleaning due to de-plating action. Prevention of deposition of metals in the electro-cleaner.

Prevention of hydrogen embrittlement of steel.

Higher tolerance contamination. for chromic acid

Limitations of anodic Cleaning

Lesser scouring action.
Not applicable for bright basis metal finishes and decorative coatings. Pitting Not applicable to some metals, which do not passivative within a short time in hot alkaline solution and dissolve at fast rate in bath.

Electrolytic Etching
It is an etching process that involves the use of chemicals, along with the employment of direct electric current and is done by applying electrochemical etching solution to a material layer, preferably a metal layer, on a workpiece, in the presence of a current. Purpose: Its main purpose is as follows To reveal the micro structure in such material that exhibit surface passivity during conventional etching. To remove superficial oxides and attack lightly the steel surface to obtain etched surface which reveals the microstructure of the steel.

Experimental Set up
Here the specimen is taken as anode and insouble mat. as cathode. The selection of electrolyte depends upon: (i) Composition of the metal or alloy to be etched. (ii) Constituents in the structure to be revealed by etching. This electrochemical etching solution supplies to the material on the substrate the species to form an intermediate compound on the surface that can be easily mechanically removed as intermediate compound fragments than the material. Platinum or Graphite is made cathode.

References
www.finishlinemp.com www.wikipedia.org