Plasma Electrolyte Polishing of Titanium and Niobium Alloys in Low Concentrated Salt Solution Based Electrolyte

Abstract

Today, world enterprises specializing in the production of titanium and niobium alloy products and having modern high-tech equipment are still forced to use outdated, costly and environmentally unsafe methods of polishing and surface cleaning, based on electrochemical treatment in toxic solutions. The complex geometric shape of the processed products does not allow the use of mechanical polishing methods, due to high labor costs and low efficiency. These materials are difficult to process, and the processes of their polishing require the use of toxic electrolytes. An alternative to existing methods of electrochemical polishing is plasma electrolyte polishing in aqueous solutions of salts with a concentration of up to 5%. We have developed fundamentally new modes of plasma electrolyte polishing of products from titanium and niobium alloys using simple electrolytes based on an aqueous solution of fluoride salt, the use of which can significantly increase the surface quality class. The advantage of the plasma electrolyte polishing over classical electrochemical polishing is its safety due to the use of an electrolyte based on an aqueous solution of salt. The paper presents the results of an investigation of the characteristics and morphology of the surface after processing using the developed method. Modes that provide the maximum change in roughness with minimal metal removal were obtained.

Material removal model for describing the plasma discharge effect in magnetic-electrolytic plasma polishing

“…Electrolyte plasma polishing is an innovative and environmentally friendly metal surface processing method known for its high quality and efficiency. It enables the processing of complex-shaped parts with remarkable effectiveness [1][2][3]. By utilizing a low-concentration inorganic salt-based electrolyte, this method presents a favorable alternative to the use of strong acid and alkali electrolytes in traditional electropolishing.…”

Parameters optimization of electrolytic plasma polishing of austenitic stainless steel and surface performance analysis

“…Seo et al 21 found that chromium oxide layers treated with plasma electrolytic polishing have better corrosion resistance stability, that is plasma electrolytic polishing process could form more corrosion-resistant oxidation films. Aliakseyeu et al 22 developed a new plasma electropolishing method for titanium and niobium alloys. It was found that the surface roughness change of Nb was much higher than that of Ti with the increase of current density in the analysis range.…”