Plasma Electrolytic Polishing Process Mechanism and Application Possibilities Research for Metal Workpiece Surface Finishing

Abstract

Plasma electrolytic polishing (PEP) is an attractive innovation process to replace conventional mechanical polishing or electropolishing (EP), because of conventional processes have encountered labor shortages and environmental challenges. In contrast to the EP process which uses acids aggressive media, whereas in PEP, the low-concentration salt solution instead of acids or toxicants as electrolyte with high DC voltage to generate plasma phenomenon is the main process operating characteristics. For further understanding the process characteristic, this study carries series of experiments to observe the process mechanism and also examine the application possibility for kinds of metal workpiece surface finishing.