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MODIFIED ELECTROPOLISHING
(U.S. patent pending)
ELECTROBRIGHT, a leader in the electropolishing industry, has developed a proprietary method for electropolishing metals.
Modified Electropolishing Advantages:
In response to growing demands for super smooth, corrosion resistant, fouling resistant, biocompatible, and hemocompatible metallic surfaces, Electrobright has developed a modified electropolishing process that addresses these needs.
Benefits of this patent pending process particularly, but not exclusively for austenitic stainless steels are as follows:
- Alternating surface energy indicated by change in contact angle
- Enhancing pitting and uniform corrosion resistance in high chloride concentrated solutions
- Halting nickel (Ni) ion leakage in high chloride concentrated solution
- Shifting Ecorr (corrosion potential) to the more positive direction
- Creating more homogenous passive layer
- Drastic minimization of soiling after contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, urine)
- Reduction of bacterial attachment and early biofilm formation
Data and micrographs showing benefits of the modified electorpolishing process for NiTi (NITINOL):
SEM Micrographs
Comparison of standard electropolished (left) and modified electropolished (right) NITINOL at x1000 magnification.
EDAX Analysis
| |
Standard Electropolishing |
Modified Electropolishing |
| Energy |
10 kV |
15 kV |
20 kV |
10 kV |
15kV |
20kV |
| Ti |
1.9 |
9.0 |
15.0 |
2.2 |
10.2 |
15.8 |
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Atomic concentration of Ti in passive layer determined by EDAX.
Values are average of n=3.
Modified process enriches passive layer in Titanium.
AFM Analysis
| Sample Type |
6x6 µm Scan |
3x3 µm Scan |
| Ra (nm) |
Rmax (nm) |
Ra (nm) |
Rmax (nm) |
| Standard Electropolishing |
12.6 |
219 |
9.9 |
125 |
| Modified Electropolishing |
5.1 |
109 |
3.6 |
58 |
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Roughness parameters as determined by AFM.
Values are average of n=3. |
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