piikkipinnoitus

Piikkipinnoitus, also known as electropolishing or electrochemical polishing, is a surface finishing process used to smooth, polish, and deburr metal parts. It is an electrochemical process that removes a small amount of material from the surface of a metal object, resulting in a smooth, bright, and clean finish. The process is typically carried out in an electrolyte bath, where the metal part is made the anode and a cathode is submerged in the same electrolyte. When a direct current is applied, metal ions are dissolved from the anode and deposited onto the cathode, or simply removed from the surface of the part.

The primary benefit of piikkipinnoitus is its ability to achieve a highly uniform and smooth surface finish, even on complex geometries. This is particularly useful for applications where surface roughness can negatively impact performance, such as in medical devices, food processing equipment, and semiconductor manufacturing. The process can also improve corrosion resistance by removing surface imperfections and creating a passive oxide layer. Furthermore, piikkipinnoitus can deburr small parts, remove heat tint after welding, and prepare surfaces for subsequent coating or plating.

The effectiveness of piikkipinnoitus depends on several factors, including the type of metal being treated, the composition of the electrolyte, the current density, temperature, and processing time. Common metals that can be piikkipinnoitettu include stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. The process is often considered a form of mass finishing as it can process many parts simultaneously. While it removes material, the amount removed is generally very small, typically in the order of micrometers, so it does not significantly alter the dimensions of the part.