3. Differences Between Electropolishing and Mechanical Polishing
These finishing processes significantly differ, complicating the decision to choose a finishing method.
Scope of Application
Electropolishing is intended for a range of materials, including:
This process is used to create such types of equipment as: heat exchangers, storage tanks for various industries, clean rooms for pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processing tools, medical tools, vehicle parts, and others.
Mechanical polishing can be applied to almost any metal, so there is no need to reference all suitable materials here.
This process is used in such industries as food, pharmacy, automobile, and cosmetic ones. And it is intended to create such types of equipment as: architectural metal, cookware, metal automobile parts, office furniture, fittings, and others.
Cost
It is a tricky question, an answer to which depends on various factors. Typically, electropolishing is regarded as a more technologically advanced process, which requires high-cost equipment, materials, and skilled labor.
As a result, the cost of polishing one random metal part is significantly higher in electropolishing rather than in mechanical polishing. However, it is never that only one part is treated in one run.
At the same time, mechanical polishing is a labor and time-consuming process, the quality of which depends on the proficiency of workers. The more components you require, the less accurate the process becomes, to a certain extent. It is related to processing only one component in one run.
In essence, the costs of finishing a batch of particular components may fluctuate significantly, and the cost-effectiveness of a finishing process may vary from batch to batch.
Surface Finish Quality
Here’s the kicker. Electropolishing is always a more accurate finishing process compared to mechanical polishing. You can cut off the exact amount of material, so dimensions and smoothness are as precise as possible.
Mechanical polishing may ensure excellent smoothness and enhance a workpiece with additional attractiveness. However, the dimensions of a component rely entirely on the proficiency of a worker who performs finishing. This way, consistency is unachievable.
