Plasma‐Electrolytic Polishing as a Post‐Processing Technology for Additively Manufactured Parts

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) as a key enabling technology provides new options for engineering design of complex parts. Freeform shapes, grid‐like structures and internal cavities enable functional integration, reducing assembly and space requirements and increasing reliability. Metal AM technologies, however, require post‐processing in order to achieve acceptable surface roughness and ‐functionality. Plasma‐electrolytic polishing can, due to its toolless nature and excellent achievable surface properties, be a beneficial option.

Influence of Anode Immersion Speed on Current and Power in Plasma Electrolytic Polishing

“…The electrolytes are mostly environmentally friendly, low-concentration aqueous salt solutions [ 10 ]. The PeP process, firstly closer examined probably in 1979 [ 11 ], is a surface treatment technology that leads to very smooth, high-gloss surfaces with improved corrosion resistance [ 12 ] and is a promising postprocessing technology for additively manufactured parts [ 13 ].…”