Patent ID: 7632390

Claim:
A process for the enhanced electropolishing of metals and metalloids and their alloys, intermetallic compounds, metal-matrix composites, carbides and nitrides in an electrolytic cell having an anodic work piece, a cathode, and a cylindrical chamber for initiating and maintaining the dissolution of minute particles from the surface of the material to be electropolished for a predetermined period of time utilizing an externally applied magnetic force from a magnet continuously extending around and circumscribing the electrolytic cell and establishing a uniform magnetic field therein sufficient to surround and encompass the cathode and the anodic work piece, said process being maintained under oxygen evolution with an electropolished surface of the work piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, better surface wetting and increased surface energy, reduced and more uniform corrosion resistance, minimization of external surface soiling and improved cleanability.