Investigation of the Surface Condition of an Electrode after Electropolishing under the Influence of Surface Acoustic Waves

Abstract

The observation of acoustic enhancement ofthe anodiccurrentin an electropolishing experiment promises to be useful in acceleration of industrial electrochemical processes. Besides the process, however, the surface condition after the electropolishing is of importance as well. This investigation is focused onthe surface condition of the electropolished surface after an acoustic wave treatment. At the anode surface acoustic waves, especially Scholte waves, will be generated. Theevanescentpartof the wave will propagate in the electrolyte and cause Schlichting streaming in the boundary layer. For different frequencies and different intensities of the surface acoustic wave the surface roughness of the anode is analyzed by a laser scanning microscope.The results of the investigation will allow to find the best parameters for polishing and to avoid cavitation damage.