Device and method for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface

Abstract

The invention describes a device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface ( 1 ) which contacts a metal part ( 2 ) to be polished, with a relative movement being caused between the conductive surface ( 1 ) and the metal part ( 2 ) to be polished, and wherein the part ( 2 ) is connected to the power source ( 3 ) and the conductive surface ( 1 ) is connected to an electrode ( 4 ). The invention also describes a method for electropolishing which comprises: a step of polishing, wherein a conductive surface ( 1 ) contacts a metal part ( 2 ) to be polished, with a relative movement being caused between both, and wherein the part ( 2 ) is connected to the power source ( 3 ) and the conductive surface ( 1 ) is connected to an electrode ( 4 ); and a step of regenerating the conductive surface ( 1 ), wherein the conductive surface ( 1 ) which has been in contact with the part in the step of polishing is regenerated or replaced.

1 . A device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface which, applicable for polishing the surface of a metal part ( 2 ), comprises:
 a power source ( 3 );   an electrode ( 4 );   a conductive surface ( 1 );   a system that provides electrical connectivity to the metal part ( 2 ) to be polished at a pole of the power source ( 3 );   a system that provides electrical connectivity to the conductive surface ( 1 ) at the opposite pole of the power source ( 3 ); and   a system that provides relative movement of the conductive surface ( 1 ) with respect to the metal part ( 2 ) to be polished,   
       wherein the electrode ( 4 ) contacts one side of the conductive surface ( 1 ) and the part ( 2 ) to be polished can be brought into contact with the conductive surface ( 1 ) on the other side, such that a polishing effect occurs when the power source ( 3 ) applies a potential difference between the part ( 2 ) to be polished and the electrode ( 4 ), 
       characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) is manufactured with a non-conductive material that retains a conductive liquid solution, such that the conductive surface has an electrical conductivity that can be measured between the two sides of the material. 
     
     
         2 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) adopts a rolling conveyor belt-type configuration and the system that provides relative movement of the conductive surface ( 1 ) with respect to the part ( 2 ) to be polished comprises two or more drums on which the conductive surface ( 1 ) is mounted, with a motor (M) that provides rotational movement to the belt. 
     
     
         3 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) adopts a continuous belt configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) adopts a configuration in which it is initially wound in a drum, arranged so that it can be wound in a second drum. 
     
     
         5 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the system that provides relative movement of the conductive surface ( 1 ) with respect to the part ( 2 ) to be polished is a system that provides a circular, orbital, circular translational, rotating, or linear oscillating movement of a flat conductive surface ( 1 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) is made of a solid electrolyte-type material, such that the conductive surface has an electrical conductivity that can be measured between the two sides of the material. 
     
     
         7 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive liquid solution contains at least one strong acid. 
     
     
         8 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive liquid solution contains sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, EDTA, polyethers, or polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         9 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive liquid solution is an emulsion. 
     
     
         10 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive liquid solution contains complexing agents. 
     
     
         11 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the conductive surface ( 1 ) is made of a porous polymer material with functional groups capable of retaining and transporting metal ions, said groups consisting of sulfonic acid/sulfonate, carboxylic acid/carboxylate, or chelating functional groups. 
     
     
         12 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a system for partially or completely regenerating or exchanging the conductive liquid solution retained on the conductive surface ( 1 ) which includes a pressure system between two drums, the application of temperature, or the application of dry air. 
     
     
         13 . The device for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the system that provides relative movement of the conductive surface ( 1 ) with respect to the metal part ( 2 ) to be polished comprises means for moving the conductive surface ( 1 ) with respect to the metal part ( 2 ). 
     
     
         14 . A method for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface which comprises the following steps:
 a step of polishing, in which a conductive surface ( 1 ) contacts a metal part ( 2 ) to be polished, with a relative movement being caused between the conductive surface ( 1 ) and the metal part ( 2 ) to be polished, and wherein the part ( 2 ) is connected to the power source ( 3 ) and the conductive surface ( 1 ) is connected to an electrode ( 4 )   a step of regenerating or replacing the conductive surface ( 1 ), in which the conductive surface ( 1 ) which has been in contact with the part in the preceding step of polishing is regenerated or replaced so that the conductive surface maintains sufficient conductivity during the step of polishing,   
       characterized in that it further comprises a step of impregnating the conductive surface ( 1 ) with a liquid electrolyte that is retained on said conductive surface ( 1 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method for electropolishing by means of a conductive surface according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the step of regenerating or replacing the conductive surface comprises the following sub-steps
 completely or partially eliminating the liquid electrolyte used   adding new liquid electrolyte.