Electropolishing of Stainless Steel
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Why Electropolishing?
 Anticorrosion
 Pacification
 Deburrs by anodic dissolution
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Electropolishing
 Consists by immersing a part in an
electrochemical bath
 Moves chrome to the surface of the product
 Assists pacification of the stainless steel
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Oxygen versus Hydrogen
 Stainless steel requires
oxygen to naturally pacify
itself. Rough surfaces of stainless steel are prone to
an atmosphere around their surfaces of hydrogen in
a marine environment, restricting the quantity of
oxygen close to the surface which restricts natural
pacification.
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Marine Environment
We recommend most highly, a process utilized in
Marine and Pharmaceutical Industries known as
Electropolishing.
Whence, through originally
pacifying the metal following construction the
finished item be immersed in a special acid and
electricity passed through it, through large
electrodes. This method brings the chrome in the
metal to the surface, assisting the pacification of
the alloy. The process ensures the pacification of
the stainless steel and hence ensures against
corrosion, even in the extreme climate conditions
of the Gulf Region, where corrosion of stainless
steel products is extremely evident to all.
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Guarantee
All stainless steel works outdoors within 20
km of the sea should be electropolished.
We believe we can supply a fine product
with contrasting surfaces of satin like and
highly polished surface by utilizing different
surface types prior to electropolishing. This
would mean that we can guarantee against
any corrosion occurring. We could not
guarantee no corrosion in the local
atmosphere of the project if the job is not
electropolished.
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Basic Process
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Before Electropolishing
 Irregular Surface
 Imbedded particles
 Burr and loose fragments
in the hole
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After Electropolishing
 Part left without residual
coating
 Ready for Assembly
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Note the Difference
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Benefits
 Improves corrosion
resistance and passivity
 Smoothens surfaces
 Cleans
 Deburrs
 Polishes
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Why Electropolishing in Middle
East
Because of the local atmospheric condition:
 Highly salted air from vicinity of the sea
 High temperature
 High level of humidity
 High organic pollution content in air
 Lack of rain water washing
 High amount of sand and dust in the air
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Effects of Local Climate
 Oxidation
 Electrolyze
 Erosion
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Burj Khalifa
 Inox Arabia was requested to produce many
stainless steel items at the Burj Khalifa site, we
refused unless electropolishing was accepted as
a specification
Skidmore Owings and Merrill listened to our
arguments and were convinced. We produced
the required works and we are very confident of
the conclusions SOM or Emaar, Turner, Hyder
and Proscape our contractors will give regarding
the quality of our products and the effectiveness
of electropolishing
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The Contrast
Within the Middle East to visualize the effects and benefits of
Electropolishing, please visit the fountain walk from Dubai Mall to the
Burj Khalifa.
At the fountain side, you will see stainless steel products installed by
another company that have not been electropolished
On the right hand, around the Burj Khalifa, you will see a large
stainless steel fence installed and produced by Inox Arabia that has
been electropolished.
The conclusion is yours to make.
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Made by Inox Arabia
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Corroded Stainless Steel 316L Brushed
Finished not Electropolished
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Consequences
WE NEVER PRODUCED THE ABOVE PIPES,
FOR THIS REASON we highly recommend that
brush finish without electropolishing not to be
used in any outside works as the grain of the finish
attracts the pollutants in the air such as dust and
salt to penetrate the surface very quickly. This
would greatly reduce the natural passivity of the
stainless steel and assist corrosion to take place
spoiling
the
work.
ELECTROPOLISHING
RESOLVES THIS.
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A Relative Cost
 Electropolishing of components will not cost more
than 20% of component cost to undertake. Inox
Arabia has faced often difficulty in convincing
customers of stainless steel products that
electropolishing is required in any marine
environment. The examples of corroding stainless
steel in the marine environment of the Gulf
Region are evident for all to see. Notably on the
Burj Khalifa Dubai works that were not produced
by Inox Arabia.
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Inox Arabia on site Electro Polishing
 We have developed Machinery and Technology for
on site electro polishing.
 This technology of ours permits us to electro
polish components for any size without
dismantling them.
 We are currently awaiting patents for components
involved in this technology
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Replacing the Bath
with Electrolytical Sponges
 The rectifier is a transportable machine along with the
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voltage controller and heat controller all in one.
Thence the current pass to the cathodes with the
electrolytical sponge.
We are able to pass the sponge over the surface of the
components electro polishing as the sponge passes the
surface.
For smaller components and tighter corners
We have also designed and electrolytical brush
Different size and shape sponges are required for
different size components to limit differing finishes from
occurring.
For larger and longer components we have designed a
time traveling mechanism to give us the consistent finish
to the standards of Inox Arabia quality control.
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 This is specialist work and staffs involved in operating
its technology go through intense training in safety
awareness, besides training in undertaking the Art of
the Process.
 The product must be cleaned and pacified with Inox
Eco Cleaner prior to electro polishing, at least 2 times
with a surveillance period between each cleaning
operation to evaluate the contamination of the
product prior to electro polishing being under taken.
 Inox Arabia provide independent enhanced saline
testing results to warranty our products.
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Electropolishing is used worldwide.
Here is a list of our competitors around
the world:
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Request a Reference
 The best evidence we can supply to back up our
statement would come from Third Parties: Contact
details available on request;
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Mohamed Sheriff – S.O.M.
David Bradford – Turner
Nor Shaharom – EMAAR
Mukund Joshi - Proscape
Ben White – Cracknell
WE HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE
DEDICATION INOX ARABIA GIVE TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PERFECTION IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
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