US007632390B2

(12) Ulllted States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 7,632,390 B2

Rokicki (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 15, 2009

(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR 6,203,689 B1* 3/2001 Kim etal. ................. .. 205/652
ENHANCING ELECTROPOLISHING 6,890,670 B2* 5/2005 Leddy etal. ..... .. 428/553
UTILIZING MAGNETIC FIELDS 2004/0131889 A1* 7/2004 Leddy et a1. 428/694 B
2006/0005900 Al * l/2006 Dorfman .................. .. 148/400

(76) Inventor: Ryszard Rokicki, 5657 Fox La., OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Emmaus’ PA (Us) 18049 Carpino et al. “Quadrupole magnetic ?eld-?ow fractionation for the
. . . . _ analysis of magnetic nanoparticles” Journal of Physics: Conference
(*) Not1ce: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofth1s S - 17 2005 ' 174480,,
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 *en_erS ( )Pp
U.S.C. 154(b) by 623 days. med by examlner
_ Primary ExamineriNam X Nguyen
(21) Appl' NO" 11/009’190 Assistant ExamineriDustin Q Darn
(22) Filed: Dec- 10, 2004 (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiSanford I. Piltch, Esq.

(65) Prior Publication Data (57) ABSTRACT

Us 2006/0124472 A1 Jun 15 2006 A process for electropolishing metals and metalloids and
' ’ their alloys, intermetallic compounds, metal-matrix compos
(51) Int CL ites, carbides and nitrides in an electrolytic cell utilizing an
B2311 3/00 (200601) externally applied magnetic force to enhance the dissolution
(52) us. Cl. ..................................... .. 205/640,_ 205/646 P rocess. The e.1 ec tro P o1s
1. h1ng P rocess 1s. mamta1ned under
(58) Field of Classi?cation Search 2 0 4/2 5 2_ oxygen evolut1on to achleve an electropolished surface of the
"""""" /6 4 6 6 40’ Work piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, better sur
See a lication ?le for Com 1ete Search histo ’ face Wetting and increased surface energy, reduced and more
pp p ry' uniform corrosion resistance, minimization of external sur
(56) References Cited face soiling and improved cleanability in shorter time peri
ods.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,240,569 A 8/1993 Waldron 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

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 US 7,632,390 B2
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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ture (Fermi level), resulting in the modi?cation of the polar
ENHANCING ELECTROPOLISHING iZation of the free surface electrons. Further, no one can
UTILIZING MAGNETIC FIELDS exclude the possibility of a proton transfer reaction in?u
enced by the magnetic ?eld that can be important both in the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION presence and absence of electron transfer processes.

The present invention relates to the ?eld of electropolish SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
ing and, more speci?cally, to the electropolishing process
carried out With an externally applied uniform magnetic ?eld In the last tWo decades, the electropolishing process seems
to alter the properties of the electropolished surfaces. This to have been rediscovered mainly due to the signi?cantly
inventive process, magnetoelectropolishing, is carried out increased demand for super clean (by metallurgical stan
using an electropolishing bath composed of a processing dards), homogeneous, corrosion resistant, biocompatible sur
tank, a dc poWer supply, electrodes and connecting Wiring, faces that do not interfere in processes utiliZed by semicon
and a controller. The material for electropolishing is selected, ductor, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and human implant
uniform magnetic ?elds are created or formed about the posi industries. The main group of electropolished alloys is aus
tion to be taken by the selected material in the processing tank tenitic stainless steels, mainly alloys 304, 304L, 316 and
by using either permanent magnets or electromagnets, and the 3l6L. Specialty stainless steel alloy 3l6L and its medical
control parameters are selected for the electropolishing pro grade are used extensively in pharmaceutical, semiconduc
cess, i.e., length of time, voltage level, solution temperature. tors and body implants due to its superior corrosion resis
The electropolishing process parameters are met and the time 20 tance, smoothness, biocompatibility and cleanability after
period is completed before the externally applied magnetic electropolishing treatment. The remarkable improvement in
?eld is removed. corrosion resistance of electropolished surfaces of austenitic
The effects of applying an external magnetic ?eld on an stainless steels are caused by several interconnected events
electrochemical reaction can be divided into three categories: occurring during the electropolishing process. The ?rst of
electron transfer; mass transfer (Lorenz Force]; and, mor 25 these is the removal of the Beilby layer that consists of inclu
phology and chemistry of the treated material surface subse sions of martensitic phase, foreign material, preexisting
quent to dissolution. Electropolishing, a controlled anodic oxides, etc, created by forming, machining and mechanically
dissolution, is one example of electrolysis. To establish opti polishing. The second is to create a neW corrosion resistant
mum conditions for electropolishing a particular metal, metal layer that is enriched in chromium oxide due to the anomalous
alloy, etc., a voltage vs. current curve is plotted and plateau 30 co-dissolution of austenitic steels. The third is to improve the
current densities are established. The current densities pla surface smoothness by dissolving the surface picks preferen
teau mainly exists just beloW the oxygen evolution regime. tially to the surface depressions. The fourth event is the equi
HoWever, for many metals, metal alloys, etc., the best elec potentialiZing of grain boundaries on metallic materials.
tropolishing results may be obtained beyond this plateau In the electronics industry electropolishing is used for sili
under oxygen evolution conditions. The best example is a 35 con Wafers, With metal carbides and nitrates also being elec
most often industrially used process for electropolishing tropolished. Less often the electropolishing process is applied
stainless steels, Which are carried out under an oxygen evo to pure metals such as Titanium [Ti] or Tantalum [Ta] to
lution regime. improve their self-passivated surfaces, Niobium [Nb] in
Electron transfers in electrochemical reactions occur natu semi-conducting cavities devices, and Copper [Cu] ?lm for
rally, i.e. corrosion process, or can be induced arti?cially. 40 planariZation of electronic devices. The electropolishing pro
Electropolishing by controlled anodic dissolution is an cess is also utiliZed for the surface enhancement of interme
example of the latter. The electron transfer betWeen the elec tallic materials like Nitinol [NiTi] that is more often used in
tropolished material and the electrolyte solution must occur human implant devices.
for the process to Work. To obtain the required conditions the A very special niche market in Which electropolishing has
potential differences need to be established betWeen anodes 45 become extremely important is the human implant industry
and cathodes, Which in almost all cases of electropolishing Where metallic devices have surface features that require
processes is done by applying direct current. super critical re?nement to be compatible With the human
The best Way to describe the electron transfer process physiologic system. The principal metallic materials used to
betWeen an electrolyte and a solid electrode is the energy level produce such devices are 3 1 6L medical grade stainless steel,
model. In metals, from the electrochemist approach, there 50 cobalt-chromium-nickel, loW nickel cobalt-chromium alloys,
exists an electrochemical potential of electrons in a metal Ti, Zirconium [Zr], Ta and its alloy, and intermetallic NiTi
electrode, i.e. the Fermi level. In an electrolyte three energy (Nitinolimemory alloy). In order to signi?cantly improve
levels exist: Eox, ERED and EREDOX. The characteristic of any the biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and other proper
solid depends on the extent to Which the electron orbitals in ties of these metallic materials they are, in most cases, elec
the highest band are ?lled. The extent to Which the highest 55 tropolished.
orbitals are ?lled is called the Fermi level. In metals, the The use of externally applied magnetic ?elds to the elec
highest band of electron orbitals is only partially ?lled With tropolishing process provides the supercritical re?nement of
electrons and these electrons can jump from one state to surface properties to the neW high level required for medical
another With only an in?nitesimal change in energy. This implant devices as discussed above. The addition of the exter
characteristic makes metals good electrical and thermal con 60 nal magnetic ?eld also drastically minimiZes microtopogra
ductors. phy by loWering microroughness and minimiZing actual sur
In the case of electrolysis processes, When the applied face area in micro and nano scales of the various metallic
electrical potential begins a redox reaction With the cathode materials. From a practical point of vieW the more important
lying along a central vertical axis, the Work piece anode features of in?uence of a magnetic ?eld used during an elec
surrounding the cathode and the magnetic ?eld surrounding 65 tropolishing process are the alteration of morphology and
the electrolysis cell, the external magnetic ?eld alters the chemistry of the ?nished surface. The main reason for utiliZ
process most probably by interfering With the electron struc ing an electropolishing process is to improve the quality of the
 US 7,632,390 B2
3 4
electropolished surface and the incorporation of a magnetic understood, hoWever, that the invention is not limited to the
?eld during the electropolishing process provides an precise arrangements and instrumentalities shoWn.
enhanced opportunity to accomplish the desired results. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaWay vieW of an electrolysis cell
The only prior patent reference that speci?cally describes With a ?exible permanent magnet surrounding the outer cell
the use of a magnetic ?eld for use in the electropolishing Wall.
(dissolution) process is US. Pat. No. 6,203,689 [Kim, et al.], FIG. 2 is a partially cutaWay vieW of an electrolysis cell
Which mentions the use of a magnetic ?eld to promote elec having a different arrangement of cathode and anode With a
trolysis by activating electrolyZed ions by the LorenZ force plurality of concentric ring magnets surrounding the cell.
effect. The Kim patent describes the use of a plurality of
magnets arranged around the electrolysis cell and moving in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
combination With the electrode into and out of the described EMBODIMENTS
deep hole or Well in the article to be electropolished. With the
use of the magnets a magnetic ?eld is formed in a Zone The folloWing detailed description is of the best presently
including the article, but there is no suggestion or teaching contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The
under Which oxygen regime the electropolishing Was per description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made
formed, What type of materials Were electropolished, or solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of
Whether the apparatus is limited only to the “deep-hole” pol the invention. The various features and advantages of the
ishing as described in the reference. present invention may be more readily understood With ref
The invention resides in the process for the enhanced elec erence to the folloWing detailed description taken in conjunc
tropolishing of metals and metalloids and their alloys, inter 20 tion With the accompanying draWings.
metallic compounds, metal-matrix composites, carbides and Referring noW to the draWings in detail, Where like numer
nitrides in an electrolytic cell for initiating and maintaining als refer to like parts or elements, there is shoWn in FIG. 1 an
the dissolution of minute particles from the surface of the electrolysis cell 10. The cell 10 is comprised of a cylindrically
material to be electropolished for a predetermined period of shaped vessel 12 Within Which a cathode 14 extends doWn
time. The improvement in the electropolishing process is the 25 Ward along a vertical axis at the approximate center. The
utiliZing of an externally applied magnetic force surrounding cathode 14 is connected by a Wire to a voltage source 16 that
the electrolytic cell and establishing a uniform magnetic ?eld can produce a desired level of dc voltage. The voltage source
therein su?icient to surround and encompass the cathode and 16 is also connected to the Work piece anode 18 at a point
the anode Work piece. The application of an external magnetic distant from the point of voltage connection to the cathode 14.
?eld is coupled With the process being controlled and main 30 The Workpiece anode 18 in this example is shaped as a holloW
tained under oxygen evolution to achieve an electropolished cylinder With the cathode 14 positioned through its central
surface of the Work piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, axis. Surrounding the vessel 12 and extending vertically a
better surface Wetting and increased surface energy, reduced distance similar to the length of the Work piece anode 18 is a
and more uniform corrosion resistance, minimiZation of ?exible permanent magnet 20 that creates a magnetic ?eld
external surface soiling and improved cleanability. 35 having substantially equal strength across its Width and
extending into the vessel 12 to the cathode 14. The cathode 14
The enhanced electropolishing process includes metals and Work piece anode 18 are submerged in an electrolytic
selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, Au, Be, Bi, Cd, solution 22 selected to achieve the enhanced desired result of
Co, Cr, Cu, Gd, Hf, In, Ir, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Os, Pd, Pt, Pu, electrolytic dissolution of the surface area of the Work piece
Re, Rh, Sn, Ta, Th, Ti, TI, U, V, W,Y, Zn, and Zr. The process 40 anode 18. In the electrolytic cell 10 of FIG. 1, the surface of
also includes metalloids selected from the group consisting of the Work piece anode 18 that Will be magnetoelectropolished
Si and Ge. and intermetallic compounds selected from a
is the interior surface of the cylindrical Work piece, i.e., the
group consisting of materials comprising tWo or more
surface juxtaposed to the cathode 14.
elemental metals of de?ned proportions. The process further
An alternative embodiment for an electrolysis cell 110 is
is applicable to metal-matrix composites selected from a
45 shoWn in FIG. 2. The cell 110 is also comprised of a cylin
group consisting of materials comprising continuous carbon, drically shaped vessel 112 Within Which a differently shaped
silicon carbide or ceramic ?bers that are embedded in a metal
cathode is positioned circumferentially around the inner Wall
lic matrix. The process is also applicable to electropolishing
of the vessel 112. The cathode 114 is con?gured as a mesh
carbides selected from a group consisting of a compound
screen and is connected by a Wire to a voltage source 116,
comprising carbon and one or more metallic elements and
50 nominally providing a dc voltage appropriate for the material
nitrides selected from a group consisting of a compound
and conditions. The voltage source 116 is also connected to
comprising nitrogen and one or more metallic elements.
the Work piece anode 118 at a point distant from the point of
The externally applied magnetic force for use With the voltage connection to the cathode 114. The Work piece anode
enhanced electropolishing process may be selected from a 118 in this embodiment is shaped as a ?at rectangular plate
group consisting of either permanent magnetic or electro 55 and is positioned at the approximate co-central axis of the
magnetic devices and these materials may be formed from cathode 118 and the vessel 112. Surrounding the vessel 112
rigid or ?exible magnetic materials. It Will be exhibited that and extending vertically a distance similar in the length to the
the enhanced electropolishing process Will result in a better length of the Work piece anode 118 are a plurality of concen
enhanced surface result from the electrodissolution When the tric ring permanent magnets 120 that create a magnetic ?eld
externally applied magnetic force ranges betWeen 0.1 T and 60 having substantially equal strength across their combined
1.0 T and the process is maintained under the oxygen evolu Width and extending into the vessel 112 to the Work piece
tion regime. anode 118. In this example tWo ring magnets are shoWn, but
a greater number could also be used, the number depending
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS upon the extent of the effect of the magnetic ?eld fully encom
65 passing each and every dimension of the Work piece anode
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shoWn 118. The cathode 114 and Work piece anode 118 are sub
in the draWings forms Which are presently preferred; it being merged in an electrolytic solution 122 selected to achieve the
 US 7,632,390 B2
5 6
enhanced desired result of electrolytic dissolution of the sur involved are still not completely understood. The LorenZ
face area of the Work piece anode 118. In the electrolytic cell force is a cross product of magnetic ?eld and current. The
110 of FIG. 2, the surface of the Work piece anode 118 that mechanical effect of the LorenZ force during electrolysis is
Will be magnetoelectropolished is the exterior surface of the the rotating of the electrolyte around the axis parallel to the
?at rectangular Work piece, i.e., the surface juxtaposed to the magnetic ?eld. The movement of the electrolyte by this force
cathode 114. reduces the thickness of the diffusion layer that theoretically,
In electropolishing processes, an externally applied mag as Well as practically, in the cases of electrodeposition pro
netic ?eld Works in tWo distinctive Ways; by enhancing or cesses, enhances the electrodeposition rate.
retarding the rate of the dissolution process. The change in In the case of electropolishing, a controlled anodic disso
rate or speed of the process does not depend on either the lution process, the in?uence of the LorenZ force is more
magnetic properties of the material or the composition of the complex. When electropolishing is performed using a con
electrolyte. The main factor, Which has not been earlier stant potential Within an externally applied magnetic ?eld,
reported as being responsible for the tWo-Way in?uence of and such process is carried out under oxygen evolution con
externally applied magnetic ?elds on the electropolishing ditions, the in?uence of the LorenZ force seems to Work
process, is created by the oxygen regime. When electropol against the most recogniZed diffusion theory of electropol
ishing is performed With a constant potential under oxygen ishing. The thinning of the diffusion layer by the LorenZ
evolution the current densities decrease and less material is force, Which circulates electrolyte around the electropolished
dissolved. The rate of retarding the process depends upon the material (anode), should increase the current density and
strength of the externally applied magnetic ?eld. On the other more material should be dissolved. This theory contradicts
hand, When electropolishing is carried out under a constant 20 the experimental data that has produced con?icting results.
potential beloW oxygen evolution, current densities are TABLE I re?ects tWo sets of experiments of a comparison of
increased and the material removal rate is enhanced. The rate the mass loss of metals, metal alloys and intermetallic com
of dissolution of electropolished material using the same pounds under the in?uence of a 0.5 T magnetic ?eldusing tWo
constants also depends upon the strength of the magnetic different electropolishing regimes. In the ?rst set of experi
?eld, but With the opposite result. The increase in the strength 25 ments, designated With the superscript 1, the dissolution pro
of the magnetic ?eld speeds up the rate of dissolution. cess Was conducted under an oxygen evolution regime. In the
Another factor that has some, but not as predominant an second related experiment, designated With the superscript 2,
in?uence on the rates of dissolution is the orientation of the the dissolution process Was conducted beloW the oxygen evo
magnetic ?eld. To determine the in?uence of the orientation lution regime. In both cases the dissolution processes Were
of the magnetic ?eld on dissolution rates electropolishing 30 conducted using appropriate electrolyte solutions under con
experiments Were performed on tWo identical samples of Nb ditions suitable for achieving the desired electropolished ?n
Wire having a 1 mm diameter and being 10 mm in length. The ish.
electropolishing Was performed beloW the oxygen evolution
regime With identical parameters and conditions, excepting TABLE I
the orientation of the externally applied magnetic ?eld of 0.5 35
T. The orientation of the magnetic ?eld for sample 1 Was MASS LOSS
of
parallel to the length dimension of the Wire and for sample 2 MASS LOSS electropolished
Was perpendicular to length dimension of the Wire. The mass ofstandard samples in
loss for the tWo samples Were as folloWs: INITIAL electropolished magnetic ?eld
40 SURFACE MASS samples of 500 mT in
MATERIAL AREA cm2 Grams (g) in Grams (g) Grams (g)
316 L 0.540 0.1586 0.0356 0.0210
Sample 1 of Nb Wire With parallel magnetic ?eld —0.00681 g stainless
Sample 2 of Nb Wire With perpendicular magnetic ?eld —0.00613 g steel1
45 Ni 2001 0.786 0.3534 0.0858 0.0396
Brassl 0.828 0.3827 0.0161 0.0097
Copperl 0.698 0.2636 0.0128 0.0051
The minimal difference in mass loss betWeen the tWo samples NiTl 0.298 0.0419 0.0027 0.0015
indicates that orientation of the magnetic ?eld plays some (Nitinol)l
role in the rate of dissolution, but not a very signi?cant one. 316 L 0.540 0.1586 0.0159 0.0324
stainless
Although the origin of the tWo -Way in?uence of externally 50 steel2
applied magnetic ?elds on electropolishing processes is not Nb2 0.329 0.0672 0.0075 0.0165
fully understood and requires a good deal of further research Ti2 0.329 0.0354 0.0040 0.0072
and clari?cation, one possible explanation of the effect can lie Ta2 0.329 0.1307 0.0146 0.0306
in the properties of the oxygen molecule and its behavior in a
magnetic ?eld. Oxygen is a paramagnetic species With tWo 55
unpaired electrons that are attracted and aligned by magnetic One can readily see that the mass loss of the electropolished
?elds. Some oxygen [O2] molecules are released and escape samples is increased using a magnetic ?eld and conducting
from the dissolution layer during decomposition of oxides the dissolution process beloW the oxygen evolution regime.
While other molecules are attracted by the existence of mag Thus, the agitation of electrolytic solutions occurring With the
netic ?elds and adsorb dissociatively on the cyclically oxi 60 LorenZ force may be unnecessary in dissolution processes.
diZed surfaces. The dissociatively adsorbed oxygen must be Even in high rotation speed experiments, up to 33,000 rpm,
responsible for the decrease of current density and by this for Where it Will be very hard to ?nd a diffusion layer, or the
the rate of dissolution of electropolished materials. diffusion area Will be reduced to several nanolayers, elec
Another factor that has been considered as having some tropolishing of some material can still be achieved, for
effect on electropolishing of metals is the LorenZ force. The 65 example 316L stainless steel. In this case the LorenZ force
effect of the LorenZ force on electrochemical reactions has created by 0.5T magnetic ?eld is totally negligible, but still
been studied for several decades, but the mechanisms the in?uence of the magnetic ?eld is apparent by the reduced
 US 7,632,390 B2
7
current density and the lesser amount of electropolished
material dissolved. In the case of constant potential elec TABLE III-continued
tropolishing carried out beloW the oxygen evolution condi
TIME ELECTROPOLISHED ELECTROPOLISHED
tion the in?uence of the LorenZ force is less problematic and [Seconds] [Standard Process] [0.5 T Magnetic Field]
can play some role in speeding up dissolution of the elec
tropolished material. 60 79.3238 58.3663
90 78.5034 56.9019
TABLE II shoWs the mass loss and transmittance of electro
lyte after potentiostatically-controlled electropolishing of
316L stainless steel samples under oxygen evolution regime. As shoWn in TABLE III, the contact angle of the sample that
The same electropolishing conditions and parameters Were Was electropolished in the 0.5 T magnetic ?eld decreased
maintained for the tests re?ected in TABLE II including the 25.6% making the surface more hydrophilic.
anode surface area of 0.379 cm2, voltage potential of 10 volts The next test performed Was for Ni leakage. Again, tWo
dc, electrolyte temperature of 1450 F. and time of process at 316L stainless steel samples Were prepared exactly in the
180 seconds. same Way as described above With the total surface area of
each sample being 600 m2. The samples Were immersed for
TABLE II 14 days in 0.75 N HCl (hydrochloric acid) solution in separate
Magnetic Field Mass Loss in Grams Transmittance Mass Loss in plastic beakers. At the end of the test the concentration of
rnT (g) 520 nm % Nickel Was measured calorimetrically. For the sample elec
20 tropolished in a magnetic ?eld Ni ions Were not detected, but
0 0.0298 61.8 36.48
25 0.0254 69.2 31.09
the standard electropolished sample exhibited a leakage of Ni
50 0.0248 70.0 30.36 of 0.0064 mg. It should also be noted that there Were differ
100 0.0244 71.5 29.87 ences in the states of each sample, and in the corroding
250 0.0221 73.2 27.06 medium, Which Were visible to the naked eye. The magneto
500 0.0146 79.3 17.88
25 electropolished sample remained very shiny and the corrod
ing medium remained clear and transparent. HoWever, the
Other bene?ts from electropolishing in a magnetic ?eld sample subjected to standard electropolishing lost its shini
that are empirically proven for 316L stainless steel and dis ness and the solution turned greenish.
cussed in the folloWing examples are: 1) alternated surface The next test Was to measure the EcoRR (corrosion poten
energy indicated by a change in contact angle; 2) enhanced 30 tial) to determine Which of the processes Would provide the
pitting and uniform corrosion resistance in high Chloride better corrosion resistance. The corrosion potential Was mea
[Cl'] concentrated solution; 3) halted Nickel [Ni] ion leakage sured in a 0.9% Sodium Chloride [NaCl] solution. After one
in high Chloride [Cl‘] concentrated solution; 4) shifted EcoRR hour at equilibrium each of the tWo 316L stainless steel
(corrosion potential) to the more positive direction; 5) cre samples, prepared as described above With one subjected to a
ation of a more homogeneous oxide; and, 6) drastic minimi 35 standard electropolishing process and the other subjected to
Zation of soiling after contact With body ?uids, i.e., saliva, the magnetic ?eld during electropolishing, the EcoRR Was
blood, urine, etc. measured. The exposed surface area of the tWo samples to the
There are a number of tests that Were undertaken to estab electrolyte Was 147.41 mm2 for each sample. The measure
lish the theoretical results of the invention. The ?rst of these ment taken Was of the EcoRR potential versus silver chloride
Was to measure the contact angle of the Work piece for elec 40 [AgCl] in millivolts. For the sample subjected to the standard
tropolishing When subjected to a magnetic ?eld. The contact electropolishing process the EcoRR potential Was —0.025 mv.
angle may be described as the tangent angle existing betWeen The sample that Was magnetoelectropolished, i.e., subjected
a Water droplet and the adjacent surface of the Work piece. to the magnetic ?eld, the EcoRR potential Was found to be
The smaller the contact angle, the better Wetting effect and the 0.001 mv. Thus the use of the magnetic ?eld provided a better
higher the surface energy (dynes/cm) of the Work piece. In 45 EcoRR potential and better corrosion resistance.
this test, tWo samples of 316L stainless steel rounds, 18.35 The ?nal test Was to determine the best Way to reduce blood
mm in diameter, Were punched from the same sheet of mate soiling, or adhesion of the body ?uid, to metallic surfaces.
rial. Each piece Was sanded With 1000 grid and then by 2000 The test Was designed to determine the adhesion, or surface
grid sandpaper to a mirror ?nish. Both samples Were elec retention, of Whole human blood to the metallic surfaces of
tropolished using the identical conditions of electrolyte, volt 50 the tWo samples. As before, tWo samples of 316L stainless
age, time, temperature, anode to cathode ratio and con?gu steel Were prepared identically as described, each sample to
ration of the electropolishing cell, except that one sample Was be used in a blood clotting (thromboresistance) experiment.
subjected to a magnetic ?eld of 0.5T during the electropol FolloWing the subjecting of the ?rst sample to a standard
ishing process. Vrsual examination and microscopic exami electropolishing process and the second sample to a magne
nation (100X) of the samples revealed very satisfactory ?n 55 toelectropolishing process, each sample had deposited on a
ishes Without any noticeable differences. The contact angle of surface 0.1 ml of freshly draWn human blood. After a thirty
the samples Was measured folloWing the several time inter minute period of permitted coagulation each sample Was
vals of the electropolishing process With the results shoWn in transferred to a separate glass beaker each containing 20 ml of
TABLE III beloW. distilled Water and the coagulated blood spots on the sample
60 surfaces Were permitted to hemolyZe for ten minutes. The
TABLE III released hemoglobin from the coagulated blood spots dis
persed in the distilled Water and the resulting solution Was
TIME ELECTROPOLISHED ELECTROPOLISHED measured calorimetrically. The concentration of freed hemo
[Seconds] [Standard Process] [0.5 T Magnetic Field] globin from the coagulated blood spots Was measured using a
0 82.9186 64.1037 65 spectrophotometer having a transmittance at 520 nm. The
30 79.9252 59.2308 transmittance of the solution containing the hemoglobin from
the magnetoelectopolished sample Was 27% loWer than the
 US 7,632,390 B2
10
freed hemoglobin level of the sample subjected to a standard ing an externally applied magnetic force from a magnet con
electropolishing process Without a magnetic ?eld. The test tinuously extending around and circumscribing the electro
results bear out that the electropolished metallic surface sub lytic cell and establishing a uniform magnetic ?eld therein
jected to a magnetic ?eld during electropolishing better suf?cient to surround and encompass the cathode and the
resisted soiling of, or adhesion to the surface by Whole blood anodic Work piece, said process being maintained under oxy
than did the sample subject to only standard electropolishing. gen evolution With an electropolished surface of the Work
The addition of a substantially uniform external magnetic piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, better surface Wet
?eld surrounding the electrolysis cell, and retaining the elec ting and increased surface energy, reduced and more uniform
trolytic reaction under the oxygen evolution regime, Will pro corrosion resistance, minimization of external surface soiling
duce the desired results of the changes in the surface proper and improved cleanability.
ties of the electropolished metal, metal alloy and intermetallic 2. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the metal is
compounds so that they may be utiliZed in the very special selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, Au, Be, Bi, Cd,
iZed areas of human implants, e.g. intravascular devices such Co, Cr, Cu, Gd, Hf, In, lr, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Os, Pd, Pt, Pu,
as stents and pacemaker electrodes, and in highly specialiZed Re, Rh, Sn, Ta, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W,Y, Zn, and Zr.
electronics applications requiring much better Wetting and 3. The process according the claim 1 Wherein the metalloid
increased surface energy, signi?cant reduction in and more is selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge.
uniform corrosion resistance, and minimiZation of external 4. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the interme
surface soiling due to human body ?uids or other despoiling tallic compound is selected from a group consisting of mate
agents. rials comprising tWo or more elemental metals of de?ned
It should be understood that the invention described above 20 proportions.
is but one method of utiliZing a magnetic ?eld to enhance the 5. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the metal
resulting surface properties of an electropolished Work piece. matrix composite is selected from a group consisting of mate
Altering the strength, orientation and direction of the mag rials comprising continuous carbon, silicon carbide or
netic ?eld applied to the electrolytic cell may be done by one ceramic ?bers that are embedded in a metallic matrix.
skilled in the art Without departing from the essential scope of 25 6. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the carbide is
the invention. Further, the present invention may be embodied selected from a group consisting of a compound comprising
in other speci?c forms Without departing from the spirit or carbon and one or more metallic elements.
essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described 7. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the nitride is
embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being selected from a group consisting of a compound comprising
illustrative and not restrictive, With the scope of the invention 30 nitrogen and one or more metallic elements.
being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the fore 8. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the magnet
going detailed description, as indicating the scope of the may be selected from a group consisting of permanent mag
invention as Well as all modi?cations Which may fall Within a nets or electromagnetic apparatus.
range of equivalency Which are also intended to be embraced 9. The process according to claim 8 Wherein the selected
therein. 35 magnet may be formed from rigid or ?exible magnetic mate
rials.
The invention claimed is:
1 0. The process according to claim 1 Wherein the externally
1. A process for the enhanced electropolishing of metals
applied magnetic force ranges betWeen 0.1T and 1.0T.
and metalloids and their alloys, intermetallic compounds,
11. The process according to claim 1 including the addi
metal-matrix composites, carbides and nitrides in an electro
40 tional steps of ?rst terminating the electrochemical process in
lytic cell having an anodic Work piece, a cathode, and a
the electrolytic cell and then removing the uniform magnetic
cylindrical chamber for initiating and maintaining the disso ?eld from around the electrolytic cell.
lution of minute particles from the surface of the material to
be electropolished for a predetermined period of time utiliZ * * * * *