Patent ID: 7641744

Claim:
A method for the refinement of high density carbide steel component, comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution comprising: a first mixture of sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, and sodium tripolyphosphate, wherein the concentration of the first mixture in the aqueous solution is from about 0.22 to about 0.65 weight %, and a second mixture of citric acid and trisodium citrate dihydrate, wherein the concentration of the second mixture in the aqueous solution is from about 0.31 to about 0.92 weight %, wherein the pH of the aqueous solution is from about 4.5 to about 6.8 at substantially ambient temperature; (b) placing a high density carbide steel component into a vessel containing a plurality of media, wherein carbide is present in the component in excess of about 20% of the quantifiable surface area; (c) introducing the aqueous solution to the vessel at a flow rate of about 0.25 to about 0.60 liters per hour per cubic foot of vessel volume; (d) agitating the component and the plurality of media in the vessel while maintaining the surfaces of the component in a wetted condition with said aqueous solution to produce a stable, physically removable coating on the surfaces of the component, wherein the agitating provides relative movement and contact between the component and the media; and (e) continuing the agitating step for a period sufficient to create a finished surface having a desired surface roughness.