DefinePK

Abstract

Electropolishing (EP) process is successful for brightening of the surface and removal of roughness of AISI 304 stainless steel by controlling the conditions applied such as temperature, current density and time. Two electrodes system containing working electrode, as anode and lead plate as cathode was used where both electrodes were connected to DC power supply as a source of electric current. A mixture of phosphoric acid 55%, sulfuric acid 14% and water 31% was prepared with constant viscosity 11 mPa and used as the electrolytic solution into a glass cell. Gloss value (G) of the surface was measured and metal loss in mili gram/cm2 was determined after EP process, using different values of temperature, current density and time. SEM showed the improvement of the surface morphology and EDX analysis revealed the composition of the surface crust and the variation of Fe, Cr, Ni and Mn contents after EP process.