US2338321A - Method of electropolishing steel - Google Patents
Method of electropolishing steel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2338321A US2338321A US245224A US24522438A US2338321A US 2338321 A US2338321 A US 2338321A US 245224 A US245224 A US 245224A US 24522438 A US24522438 A US 24522438A US 2338321 A US2338321 A US 2338321A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- steel
- steels
- solution
- polished
- polishing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 52
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 title description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 36
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 22
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 17
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 16
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 12
- 235000011007 phosphoric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L chromic acid Chemical class O[Cr](O)(=O)=O KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 10
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 10
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N furo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,7-dione Chemical compound C1=CN=C2C(=O)OC(=O)C2=N1 AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000008151 electrolyte solution Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 5
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- VQLYBLABXAHUDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N bis(4-fluorophenyl)-methyl-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)silane;methyl n-(1h-benzimidazol-2-yl)carbamate Chemical compound C1=CC=C2NC(NC(=O)OC)=NC2=C1.C=1C=C(F)C=CC=1[Si](C=1C=CC(F)=CC=1)(C)CN1C=NC=N1 VQLYBLABXAHUDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009713 electroplating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001209 Low-carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005275 alloying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010960 commercial process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002659 electrodeposit Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 ferrous metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005554 pickling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F3/00—Electrolytic etching or polishing
- C25F3/16—Polishing
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method of electropolishing steel and more particularly to the anodic treatment of plain carbon and low alloy steels to impart thereto a lustrous, mirror-like polish.
- the method to which this invention pertains involves making the steel to be polished the anode in an electrolytic bath of suitable composition and passing a current of sufficient density and for a suflicient length of time through the bath to produce a high lustre or polish on the steel.
- an electrolytic solution of the composition hereinafter described results are obtained that transcend the mere electrolytic cleaning process, in that there is produced a highly lustrous or polished surface.
- This high lustre is an important feature of my invention and one that sharply distinguishes it from prior art finishes produced in the el ctrolytic cleaning of metals. 1
- the electrolytic solution that I have found to possess the most general effectiveness in the polishing of steels comprises a mixture of sulfuric, phosphoric and chromic acids in such proportions that the combined acid concentration is at least 50%, and preferably over 60% by weight of the solution, the balance being mainly water. While it is possible to produce polishes with mixtures of sulfuric, phosphoric and chromic acids containing as much as 50% water, I prefer to keep the water content of the electrolytic bath relatively low, since I have found, in general, that baths containing lower proportions of water may be operated at lower current densities, and therefore at lower cost, to give satisfactory polishes. I therefore prefer to have the total acid content kept within the range of 60 to 90%, the balance being mainly water.
- Both the sulfuric and phosphoric acid concentrations should .be in excess of 5%, with an upper limit of concentration for each of about 80%, although the upper limit is not critical and might be exceeded except for practical reasons.
- the sulfuric acid concentration should be between and -60% and the phosphoric acid concentration between 15 and 70%.
- chromic acid to the sulfuricphosphoric acid solution greatly increases the polishing effect toward steels, and I prefer to add chromic acid in substantial amounts up to about although as low as 0.5% chromic from 63 to 67% ortho phosphoric acid represents a narrower, preferred range for'my bath compotion.
- the process can be operated with anode current densities varying from 50 to 1000 amperes per sq. ft., but preferably between 100 and 400 amperes per sq. it. It will be understood that even lower current densities may be employed, but longer times of treatment will be required and the process may, for that reason, be uneconomical. Higher current densities than indicated by the foregoing range may also be employed, but in that case the higher current costs offset the saving in time.
- the length of time to effect the desired results depends upon the magnitude of the current densities employed, and to some extent upon the particular metal to be polished and the character of its surface initially. Rough surfaces, of course, require a longer time to polish than relatively smooth ones.
- Bath composition 1 Per cent Sulfuric acid 20 Ortho phosphoric acid -5. c7 Chromic anhydrlde 2 Water 11
- a bath of the foregoing composition produces an excellent polish on a steel containing 0.5% of molybdenum, when the steel is treated anodically therein at anode current densities of 250 amperes per sq. ft. for 30 minutes at a bath temperature of 50 C.
- a bath of the same composition is also applicable to the electropolishing of 5% chromium steels and to copper steels containing 0.25% copper and above.
- Bath composition My method is generally applicable to steels. but particularly to those classed as plain carbon steels and to low alloy steels having not more than 6% of combined alloy content. with such steels I am able to produce a surface which is 23, 1938, and entitled Electrolyte for the polish-.
- Electropolished surfaces produced by my method are likewise diiierent from those made by the electrolytic treatments of the prior art.
- the application to steels of methods heretofore used generallyv results in surfaces which are characteristically etched.
- the crystals in the metal are strongly developed and placed in relief, so that while the surface may be bright, it is essentially a matt finish.
- my method the development of the crystalline structure is suppressed, the surfaces of the individual crystals are levelled oil, the grain boundaries are substantially obliterated and there results a smooth and mirror-like finish.
- the method of electro-polishing steel selected from the group consisting of plain carbon and low alloy steels, which comprises making the steel the anode in an aqueous solution of from 5 to 80% of sulfuric acid by weight of said solution, from 5 to 80% of phosphoric acid by weight of said solution and from 0.5 to 20% of chromic acid by weight of said solution, the combined acid concentration being above but not over 90% by weight of said solution, the balance being essentially water, and passing therethrough an electric current of a density between 50 and 1000 amperes per square foot.
- the method of electro-polishing steel selected from the group consisting of plain carbon and low alloy steels, which comprises making the steel the anode in an aqueous solution of from 15 to of sulfuric acid by weight of said solution, from 15 to of phosphoric acid by weight of said solution and from 0.5 to 20% of chromic acid by weight of said solution, the combined acid concentration being above 50% but-not over by weight of said solution, the balance being essentially water, and passing therethrough an electric current of a density between 50 amperes and 1000 amperes per square foot.
- the method of electro-polishing steel selectedfrom the group consisting of plain carbon and low alloy steels, which comprises making the steel the anode in an aqueous solution of from 15 to 20% of sulfuric acid by weight of said solution, from 63 to67% of phosphoric acid by weight of said solution and from 2 to 10% of chromic acid by weight of said solution, the balance being essentially water, and passing an electric current therethrough of sufllclent density and for a suflicient length of time to produce a polish on said steel.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- ing And Chemical Polishing (AREA)
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US245224A US2338321A (en) | 1938-11-23 | 1938-12-12 | Method of electropolishing steel |
| CH271130D CH271130A (fr) | 1938-11-23 | 1947-07-28 | Procédé pour le polissage anodique des métaux. |
| BE478064A BE478064A (d) | 1938-11-23 | 1947-12-11 | |
| NL136944A NL71883C (nl) | 1938-11-23 | 1947-12-15 | Werkwijze voor het anodisch polijsten van staal en staalalliages, nikkel en nikkelalliages, aluminium en aluminiumalliages en molybdeen |
| LU28863A LU28863A1 (fr) | 1938-11-23 | 1947-12-31 | Electrolyte et procédé pour le polissage anodique des métaux |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US241975A US2334699A (en) | 1938-11-23 | 1938-11-23 | Electrolyte for the polishing of metal surfaces and method of use |
| US245224A US2338321A (en) | 1938-11-23 | 1938-12-12 | Method of electropolishing steel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2338321A true US2338321A (en) | 1944-01-04 |
Family
ID=26934737
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US245224A Expired - Lifetime US2338321A (en) | 1938-11-23 | 1938-12-12 | Method of electropolishing steel |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2338321A (d) |
| BE (1) | BE478064A (d) |
| CH (1) | CH271130A (d) |
| LU (1) | LU28863A1 (d) |
| NL (1) | NL71883C (d) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2550544A (en) * | 1947-11-14 | 1951-04-24 | Battelle Development Corp | Method of anodically polishing aluminum |
| US2694678A (en) * | 1951-01-25 | 1954-11-16 | Du Pont | Electropolishing process and composition |
| US4935112A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1990-06-19 | Seneca Wire And Manufacturing Company | Continuous steel strand electrolytic processing |
| US5087342A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1992-02-11 | Seneca Wire And Manufacturing Company | Continuous steel strand electrolytic processing |
| US5380408A (en) * | 1991-05-15 | 1995-01-10 | Sandvik Ab | Etching process |
| US20050045250A1 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2005-03-03 | Rakowski James A. | Oxidation resistant ferritic stainless steels |
| US20060286432A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US20060285993A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US20060286433A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US12043915B2 (en) | 2019-10-08 | 2024-07-23 | Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc. | Electropolishing of MP35N wire for fatigue life improvement of an implantable lead |
-
1938
- 1938-12-12 US US245224A patent/US2338321A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1947
- 1947-07-28 CH CH271130D patent/CH271130A/fr unknown
- 1947-12-11 BE BE478064A patent/BE478064A/fr unknown
- 1947-12-15 NL NL136944A patent/NL71883C/nl active
- 1947-12-31 LU LU28863A patent/LU28863A1/fr unknown
Cited By (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2550544A (en) * | 1947-11-14 | 1951-04-24 | Battelle Development Corp | Method of anodically polishing aluminum |
| US2694678A (en) * | 1951-01-25 | 1954-11-16 | Du Pont | Electropolishing process and composition |
| US4935112A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1990-06-19 | Seneca Wire And Manufacturing Company | Continuous steel strand electrolytic processing |
| US5087342A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1992-02-11 | Seneca Wire And Manufacturing Company | Continuous steel strand electrolytic processing |
| US5380408A (en) * | 1991-05-15 | 1995-01-10 | Sandvik Ab | Etching process |
| US20050045250A1 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2005-03-03 | Rakowski James A. | Oxidation resistant ferritic stainless steels |
| US8518234B2 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2013-08-27 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Oxidation resistant ferritic stainless steels |
| US20060286433A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US20060285993A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US7842434B2 (en) | 2005-06-15 | 2010-11-30 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US7981561B2 (en) | 2005-06-15 | 2011-07-19 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US20110229803A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2011-09-22 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US8158057B2 (en) | 2005-06-15 | 2012-04-17 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US8173328B2 (en) | 2005-06-15 | 2012-05-08 | Ati Properties, Inc. | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US20060286432A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Rakowski James M | Interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells and ferritic stainless steels adapted for use with solid oxide fuel cells |
| US12043915B2 (en) | 2019-10-08 | 2024-07-23 | Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc. | Electropolishing of MP35N wire for fatigue life improvement of an implantable lead |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BE478064A (d) | 1948-01-31 |
| LU28863A1 (fr) | 1948-03-03 |
| NL71883C (nl) | 1953-03-16 |
| CH271130A (fr) | 1950-10-15 |
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