Polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish

Chemical brightening, also known as chemical polishing, uses a chemical solution to smooth the surface of the stainless steel and achieve a high-gloss effect. This method can reduce surface roughness and remove burrs and micro-defects.

The chemical polishing process is often used in the electronics industry, medical technology and the manufacture of jewelry. It offers a high surface quality and can also be suitable for complex geometries.

Its strengths lie in the uniform processing of complex shapes and the ability to polish even hard-to-reach areas. However, chemical polishing requires precise control of the bath chemistry and process parameters matched to the stainless steel being processed. It is important to exercise extreme caution when handling the chemical solutions, as these are usually highly hazardous to the environment and health.

Mass finishing uses abrasives and water to polish and smooth surfaces. For stainless steel, a mixture of abrasives and special polishing agents in a rotating container is often used. This process is effective in reducing surface roughness and producing a high gloss. It is particularly suitable for less complex parts without hard-to-reach areas. Here it enables uniform processing

Mass finishing is often used in the automotive industry, jewelry manufacturing and the production of components for medical devices. Mass finishing offers good control over the gloss level and can be applied to a variety of shapes and sizes of components.

Its strengths lie in its ability to polish several parts simultaneously and to remove burrs and micro-defects. As the system technology is established and inexpensive, processes can often be set up with low investment and operating costs. However, the maximum component size is always limited on the system side, and polishing hard components is very time-consuming. 

Electropolishing is an electrochemical process used to smooth and polish stainless steel to a mirror finish. It uses an electrical voltage to remove material from the surface and create a smooth, shiny finish. This method offers improved corrosion resistance and an aesthetically pleasing surface.

It is often used in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, where a high-gloss, clean and easy-to-clean surface is required. Electropolishing offers a uniform finish and is also suitable for complex geometries to a limited extent.

Its strengths lie in the creation of uniform, high-gloss surfaces, even on large components, and the improvement of corrosion resistance. However, electropolishing - especially the highly concentrated acids used - requires specialized equipment and expertise in process control.

More information on electropolishing and a direct comparison with our innovative plasma polishing can be found here: Electropolishing. 

Pressure flow lapping, also known as Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM), uses a viscous mixture of abrasive particles and a honey-like carrier medium to remove material from the surface. This method is particularly well suited to reducing surface roughness in internal geometries and creating uniform surfaces.

It is used in the aerospace industry, medical technology and the manufacture of precision components. AFM offers precise control over surface quality and is also suitable for complex geometries.

Its strengths lie in its ability to remove micro-defects and create a uniform surface. However, AFM can be limited on larger parts or very hard materials and requires specialized equipment. The improvement in surface roughness is not linear, so exponentially longer process times are required if there is a large discrepancy between the initial and target roughness.

Isotropic superfinishing (ISF) is a process that uses a combination of chemical and mechanical processes to polish the surface of stainless steel. A chemical solution transforms the surface of the material, allowing abrasive particles to better remove it, similar to vibratory finishing. It removes micro-defects and creates a very smooth, reflective surface.

It is used in the automotive and aerospace industries and for high-performance machine components. ISF offers an improved surface finish and can improve the service life of components by reducing signs of fatigue.

Its strengths lie in the production of high-gloss, smooth surfaces and the improvement of the mechanical properties of the components. However, ISF requires precise process control. Technologically, it combines the advantages and disadvantages of chemical polishing and mass finishing.