Electropolishing of inclined cylinders under natural convection conditions

Abstract

The rates of electropolishing of inclined copper cylinders in H₃PO₄ were studied by measuring the limiting current of the process. The variables studied were the angle of inclination of the cylinder and the H₃PO₄ concentration. The limiting current increased as the cylinder was inclined from the vertical position, reached a maximum value at an angle of 45°, and then decreased slightly on further inclination towards the horizontal position. The difference between the maximum limiting current at 45° and the minimum limiting current at 90° (vertical position) ranges from 30% to 47% depending on the H₃PO₄ concentration.