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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Polishing copper alloy (BeCu)

I have a current edge surface roughness (Ra) of 2.25 microns (Delta between high and low spots)
I would also like to radius the corners on this material to create a spherical crowning effect without mechanical polishing.

I would like a surface roughness (Ra) of .5 microns or smoother, I won't rule out nickel plating to help with this process..

What type of etching would you recommend? Electro-etching/polishing? or straight bright dip?

this part will rub against a plastic film layer ... and I am trying to extend the life of the plastic.

Contact point consists of a 0.5mm radius and it is 0.5mm thick (thickness runs parallel with the linear movement)

Rob Lu
Hobby - San Francisco, California, USA
2007

I don't really understand your description of the component, I'm afraid, Rob; but copper can be electropolished and the process can probably meet both your need for smoothing the surface and radiusing the corners more effectively than a chemical dip. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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