Comprehensive Overview of Plasma Electrolytic Polishing
splotramienny/Pixabay
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Additive technologies are increasingly used for the production of metal components as they allow for efficient shape customization in a short time and with reduced material consumption. However, the lower surface quality of printed parts limits their direct industrial use. The growing demand for post-processing of metal parts produced by additive technologies highlights the potential of PeP technology as an environmentally friendly and efficient polishing method.
Associate Professor Dr. Joško Valentinčič, along with researchers from the Laboratory for Alternative Technologies (LAT) and in collaboration with researchers from the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, addressed this challenge. In a study published in the journal of Virtual and Physical Prototyping, they presented a relatively new technology for the post-processing of 3D-printed metal components – PeP, which enables achieving smooth and shiny surfaces of metal 3D-printed products in an efficient and sustainable manner. They studied the materials, the application of technologies for special shapes of 3D-printed products such as lattice structures, and the challenges that need to be addressed in the future. They also presented the possibilities of using PeP, including automation, standardization, and numerical modeling to expand the applicability of PeP technology, as well as the significance of PeP in improving 3D-printed products in various industrial sectors and providing a sustainable solution for better surface quality.
In this method of surface treatment of metals, material removal is achieved through a combination of electrochemical and plasma reactions. Compared to conventional polishing methods used so far, the PeP method is faster and cheaper and does not cause mechanical stresses on the workpieces, which is especially important when treating the surfaces of 3D-printed products. A significant advantage of the method is also that it avoids the use of traditional electrolytes such as sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, which are dangerous both in use and later in transport or disposal. Instead, aqueous electrolytes with low concentrations of neutral salts, which are more environmentally friendly and cheaper, are used in the treatment.
The potential of PeP for the post-processing of metal components is enormous but remains relatively under-researched. With focused research and simultaneous collaboration with industry, PeP can become a leading method for achieving high-quality metal components.
