Electrochemical Polishing of Austenitic Stainless Steels

Abstract

Improvement of the corrosion resistance capability, surface roughness, shining of stainless-steel surface elements after electrochemical polishing (EP) is one of the most important process characteristics. In this paper, the mechanism, obtained parameters, and results were studied on electropolishing of stainless-steel samples based on the review of the literature. The effects of the EP process parameters, especially current density, temperature, time, and the baths used were presented and compared among different studies. The samples made of stainless steel presented in the articles were analysed in terms of, among other things, surface roughness, resistance to corrosion, microhardness, and chemical composition. All results showed that the EP process greatly improved the analysed properties of the stainless-steel surface elements.