HENKEL Beiz- und Elektropoliertechnik GmbH & Co. KG services

Electropolishing offers many advantages over the mechanical processing of metal surfaces.

The corrosion resistance of stainless steel is based on the formation of a very thin chromium oxide-rich passive layer, which is formed only on metallically pure stainless steel surfaces. Scale layers, welding colours and tarnish, ferritic impurities (e.g. abrasion) and mechanical processing (e.g. grinding, blasting, etc.) inhibit the formation of a closed passive layer. Only fully controlled pickled stainless steel surfaces and weld seams therefore guarantee full corrosion resistance of the material and offer a decorative metallic appearance.

Chemical polishing and deburring is carried out without current. Through the chemical removal, the workpiece is deburred and smoothed on all sides, even at places which are difficult to access, and crack grains are removed. In contrast to electrochemical methods, the effort for the electrical contacting and the construction of cathodes is eliminated. The parts to be processed are dipped either individually on racks or loosely in baskets or drums into the bath or the chemical solution is pumped through the tubes or cannulae to be treated. The removal is controlled via the exposure time and the bath temperature and ensures the dimensional accuracy of edges and surfaces within very close tolerances.

Auxiliary and secondary equipment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries such as tube systems for clean water (AP, PW, HPW, WFI, etc.), production destillers, storage tanks, clean steam systems, clean steam generators, autoclaves and dry freezers usually consist of austenitic stainless steel (e.g. 1.4404, 1.4435, 316L, etc.).

Stainless steel components and tubes used sensitive pharmaceutical areas and in high purity gas systems require extreme clean surface conditions. The fully automatic monitoring of pressure level, temperature, moisture and particle assures highest production quality.

Maintenance and refurbishment of systems in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, chemical, food and beverage industries as well as the paper industry require work on site at the plant location. Large, non-transportable systems and system components can only be processed economically on site when installed. Our on-site processes mean reliable results, efficient technologies, experienced personnel, state-of-the-art equipment and safety technology, GMP-compliant documentation and chemicals as well as their professional treatment.

Colouring stainless steel in conjunction with electropolishing. The HENKEL Interference Technique (HIT) uses the property of stainless steel to build up transparent layers of chromium oxides from sulphuric solutions of suitable composition and temperature on the surface. The passive layer is strengthened and characteristic colours are produced by interference effects of the incident light depending on the layer thickness.

The process chemicals and detergents used and supplied by us are subject to careful laboratory tests and are constantly tested in our factories. Customers profit from the experience we gather from our applications in daily practice. All the chemicals we use at our three locations can be purchased unmodified for self-testing. Concentrations can be adjusted to suit individual customer requirements on request. Our range of products and services include chemicals for diverse chemical and electrochemical processes for the treatment of metal surfaces.