Polarization characteristics of magnetoelectropolishing stainless steels

The aim of the study is to present the polarization characteristics of electropolishing process carried out in a magnetic field (MEP—magnetoelectropolishing), in comparison with the ones obtained under standard/conventional process of electropolishing (EP) conditions. The polarization characteristics have been considered as the most important factor in establishing effective treatment conditions. With this paper we would like to show the results of the studies concerning the effects of a magnetic field strength and electropolishing conditions (convection, temperature) on the electrochemical polarization characteristics. Specifically the occurrence of electropolishing EP plateau has been observed in view of optimization of magnetoelectropolishing MEP process. It has been found that, depending on the magnetic field strength, under higher potentials the current density has been growing with the increase of potential to a certain value only. Afterwards the current density remains unchanged. This behavior in the course of polarization curves obtained under high potentials has been revealed to be the effect of cyclically disclosure of sample surface and re-submerge, this resulting in the “second limiting current”.