Many methods, such as mechanical polishing, acid cleaning and electrochemical polishing, can be used to clean stainless steel weld sites. However, electrochemical polishing has several advantages over the other methods of cleaning those welds so that corrosion doesn't affect them. Here are some of the reasons why you should ask a stainless steel fabricator to use electrochemical polishing when cleaning the welds of your products.

The Equipment Is Portable

The electrochemical polishing process involves using a machine to spray some electrolyte solution on a weld seam while passing an electric current through the target area. The resultant reactions cause any impurities at the cleaning site to dissolve immediately so that the stainless steel product becomes clean.

The equipment used in this process is portable when compared to the equipment needed to immerse the components into an acid bath. Consequently, it will be possible to clean your products at the installation site in case any machining is done during the installation process. This onsite cleaning is harder to perform when other cleaning methods are preferred.

Surface Integrity Is Maintained

Another key reason why you should request for electrochemical polishing is that the integrity of the surface of your products will not be affected because the mild electrolyte solution used only acts on the contaminants at the weld sites. This is unlike other cleaning methods, such as mechanical cleaning, that can cause the surface to pit or become scratched.

No Noise Is Generated

Onsite processing, such as welding, is often required when stainless steel materials are being installed. The installation sites may be in locations, such as commercial buildings, where other activities are taking place. It is therefore necessary to select a weld-cleaning method that will be minimally disruptive to the other activities that are taking place at the jobsite. Electrochemical polishing is the ideal cleaning method for such situations because the cleaning equipment operates noiselessly. This is in sharp contrast to other methods, such as buffing or sanding, that generate a lot of noise.

It is Affordable

Electrochemical polishing can be localised so that only a weld seam is cleaned. This means that fewer materials will be required for the cleaning process. This is unlike other methods, such as using an acid bath, that require the entire product to be immersed in a cleaning solution when only a small part needs to be cleaned. Furthermore, electrochemical cleaning is fast when compared to other techniques, such as mechanical cleaning. Labour costs will therefore be lower due to the limited time taken to complete the process. Electrochemical polishing is therefore a pocket-friendly way to clean stainless steel products.

Talk to stainless steel fabrication experts in your area and find out if they use electrochemical polishing in their fabrication processes. Select a fabricator who does so that you can enjoy the benefits above.