Cleaning All stainless steel parts are passivated in a light acid solution to remove weld scale and oxide. A biodegradable detergent is used to remove machine lubricants before the parts are washed and rinsed with deionized water in an ultrasonic tank. Additionally, parts receive a final methanol wipe. Tumbling in ceramic media deburrs components, such as weld fittings, while providing a uniform finish. Glass shot cleans, hones, polishes and peens while removing scale.
Some customers request bead blast on exterior surfaces with electropolish on the interior.
Electropolishing is by far the most desirable cleaning process for stainless steel vacuum components. This electrochemical process benefits the finished part in a number of ways simultaneously. Deburring, passivation and stress relieving are achieved while the machine produced surface roughness is eroded. This is most important for vacuum chambers because it produces faster pumpdown and higher conductance. In addition to the improved mechanical properties of the surface, iron is removed electrochemically.