The intrinsic and unique properties and benefits of Stainless Steel make it both desirable and necessary for the corrosion-resistant applications and processes required in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Chemical industries. As a means of improving those unique properties Eagle Stainless Container offers Electropolishing services.

Electropolishing is a process of surface-conditioning in which stainless steel is attached to a positively-charged terminal, while a negative terminal is connected to a suitable conductor, and immersed in an electrolytic solution. Using a DC current, a complete electrical-circuit is formed. The process has the effect of drawing-up the chromium in the stainless steel to the surface.The following steps are followed:

1. Metal Preparation: Items are cleaned so that all oils, lubricants, shop dirt, and fingerprints, and other contaminants are removed from the surface. Cleaning methods include alkaline and/or acid cleaning. Items are then rinsed.

2. Electropolishing: Items are racked and lowered into an electropolishing tank where the above-mentioned process takes place. Items are then rinsed.

3. Post-Treatment: In order to remove chemical residues or other by-products of the Electropolishing process and to assist in the drying process, items are dipped into a “passivating” citric acid bath, then rinsed, and then dried.

The enhanced, chromium-rich layer on the surface produces a very smooth, bright, corrosion-resistant finish.

The benefits of electropolishing further impart the property of “self-passivation”. These benefits express themselves by smoothing, polishing, cleaning, brightening, improving surface-profile, stress relieving, reducing friction, deburring, and an overall increase of corrosion-resistance.