Electro-Polished Stainless Steel

Stainless steel forms a dark scale on its surface when forged, which causes the metal to rust if used outdoors. Another cause of corrosion is contamination by mild or carbon steel. Since many of the tools used to work stainless steel are made from carbon steel, contamination is a common occurrence.

Both the scale and any carbon steel contamination, can be stripped away by mechanically polishing the surface, or the work can be electro-polished. Electropolishing is an industrial process where the work is immersed in a large vat of strong acids and other chemicals. Electricity is passed through the work and into the solution. This is basically electroplating in reverse and strips away a thin layer of metal, removing any contamination and creating a vigorous and energetic flow of bubbles. These bubbles buffet and gently polish the stainless steel. They can also get into spaces that would be impossible when mechanical polishing!

The ammonites, buds and wraps in the railings below were forged from 316L marine grade stainless steel and then electropolished.