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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Electropolish racking problem

1999

We are starting out on electropolishing of stainless steel spoons. We are having problem with holding the articles tight. This resulted in arcing of the spoons. Can anyone assist by telling us best to hold the spoon with so that only a small surface is shadowed and the spoon does not arc when it is rocked about?

We tried using titanium clip, not unlike the hairpin.

Do you think a more positive contact like wing nut and screw would solve the problem?

Steven Chen
- Auckland, NEW ZEALAND

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Steven: Titanium has good chemical resistance to the bath, but that metal does not carry enough current for most electropolishing applications. Try copper or phosphor bronze contacts. Regards, Ed Bayha

Ed Bayha
Metal Coating Process Corporation - Charlotte, North Carolina
1999

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At our company we do a lot of electropolishing so it might be possible that I could be of some assistance. To make things a bit clearer: Why don't you send me an E-mail with a drawing/explanation attached showing your racks and how the spoons are placed.

Hans Henrik Larsen
- Odense, Denmark
1999

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Ed. note: Better yet, Steven, send the drawing here and we'll post it for all to see. Although it's nice for people to offer personalized replies, taking a public discussion to private email would disenfranchise hundreds of readers whose curiosity has been aroused.