Photoelectropolishing of Stainless Steel

December 2003

Photoelectropolishing of Stainless Steel

Herein we present a study on photoelectropolishing of stainless steel sheets. The advantage of this manufacturing process is that smooth surface finish is achieved where removal takes place. The areas being protected against removal by photoresist are not removed. Therefore. structuring takes place. This makes the process one of the electrostructuring processes,II I Electrochemical removal processes 8rc characterised by the combination of electropolishing and structuring by the usc ofany kind of resist that prevents metal from electrochemical removal. Different from photoetching, spray etchin” and PCM (photochemical machining), 12-10 the removal takes place without build-up of local cells.[III The electrochemical removal process occurs when a current now is applied to the system by usc of an outer power supply. The metal componenls of the alloy are oxidised al the unprotected areas of the anodic workpiece. In contrast to PCM f12J it is quite easy to achieve shiny and smooth surfaces between the embossed structures.[l3-14J By using differelll pholomasks, different structures can be produced in a flexible and casy way. Using lithographieal teclmiques, the etching stencil is made with the help of the photomask[I-4) After exposure, development and rinsing, the workpiece, now partly coated with the etching stenci~ is placed in a special electrolytic solution. Switching on the current starts the anodic removal process. The metal is dissolved at the uncovered areas of the sheet surface.

Dr.-Ing. M. Buhlert, University of Bremen, Dr. K. Meier, HTP HiTech Photopolymere AG, and Prof. Dr. P.J. Plath, MIR-Chem GmbH