Magnetoelectropolishing for metal surface modification

Abstract

This paper aims to present the preliminary results of magnetoelectropolishing, a process derived and named by application of an external magnetic field coupled with the process being controlled and maintained under oxygen evolution to achieve an electropolished surface of a workpiece. The obtained surfaces exhibit reduced microroughness, better surface wetting resulting from increased surface energy, reduced and more uniform corrosion resistance, minimisation of external surface soiling and improved cleanability. The externally applied magnetic force for use with the enhanced electropolishing process may be selected from a group consisting of either permanent magnetic or electromagnetic devices. It has been shown that the enhanced electropolishing process results in better surface performance. In the present paper, for comparison purposes, results of surface roughness, hydrophilicity and corrosion behaviour are presented. Further studies, concerning the corrosion characteristics, the morphology and surface film chemistry, are in progress.