Polieren

Polieren, from the German term for polishing, is a finishing process that creates a smooth, highly reflective surface by removing small amounts of material. It is used across metals, glass, plastics, and ceramics to improve appearance, reduce surface roughness, and enhance corrosion resistance or optical performance.

Polishing methods include mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, electro-polishing, and burnishing. Mechanical polishing relies on abrasive particles driven by a wheel, belt, or pad to physically wear away surface irregularities. Chemical polishing uses chemical reactions to dissolve peaks selectively. Electro-polishing, or electropolishing, removes material anodically in an electrolyte to produce smooth, clean surfaces. Burnishing compacts and plastically deforms the surface with a hard, smooth tool to increase gloss without substantial material removal.

Common abrasives and compounds are selected by material type and desired finish. Abrasives include silicon carbide and aluminum oxide, graded from coarse to fine. Polishing compounds such as rouge or tripoli are applied with buffing wheels or pads to develop luster. Equipment ranges from handheld or bench-mounted polishing stones and wheels to automated finishing lines.

Process steps typically involve cleaning the workpiece, removing defects with progressively finer grits, applying polishing compounds with appropriate lubrication, and inspecting surface quality. Quality is often quantified by surface roughness (Ra) and gloss level, with tighter tolerances for optics or precision components.

Applications span metal parts, automotive panels, jewelry, glass, optics, and electronic components. Safety considerations include heat generation, component dimensional changes, and the use of appropriate coolants, guards, and personal protective equipment to manage dust and chemical exposure.