Electrolytic polishing of copper and nickel silver

To facilitate the study of surface conditions on ultrasonic weldability, electrolytic polishing was used to obtain four types of surfaces on copper and nickel silver (alloy D). A500 orthophosphoric acid bath was used, and the necessary operating conditions to obtain these surfaces were established. In accordance with current electrolytic polishing theory, the existence of the anode viscous layer and anode surface film was observed, and their role in the polishing process is discussed. By means of metallurgical techniques and surface profile measurements, it is shown that the four types of surfaces are significantly different, and good reproducibility of these surfaces are attainable. Statistical analysis of the data was employed to support the conclusions. As an outgrowth of this experiment, a method for deburring nickel silver contact springs has been established. Electrolytic polishing theory and a comprehensive literature survey relevant to this study are also presented