Overlook Industries: Electropolishing

Electropolishing

All Overlook stainless steel parts undergo an electropolishing procedure, greatly enhancing cleanability and aesthetics while reducing the ability of residue to collect within surface discrepancies.

Surface before electropolish

Surface after electropolish

Electropolishing is accomplished by connecting the metal part to be processed to the positive terminal (the anode) of a DC power supply. The part is then immersed in a heated electrolytic bath that contains metal plates connected to the negative terminal (the cathode). The electrical reaction causes an ionic conduction resulting in the removal of particles of metal from the anode.

During the process, the products of this anodic metal dissolution react with the electrolyte to form a film at the surface of the metal. This film essentially conforms to the general contour of the surface of the metal and therefore is thinner over the micro-projections and thicker at the micro-depressions. The result is more rapid dissolution of the micro-projections causing micro-leveling at the surface.