Masahiko Yamamoto

Electrolytic-abrasive mirror finishing

Abstract Using the electrolytic-abrasive mirror finishing method, large workpieces of stainless and ordinary carbon steel can be easily mirror-finished in a short time and with high efficiency, resulting in a surface roughness of up to 0.01–0.02 μm Rz. This method is based on the fact that the electrolytic effect is assisted by the removal action of abrasive grains within an appropriate current density range by the use of neutral salt-type electrolytes. In the past, the actual implementation of this method in the field of high-precision machining was not clearly defined and many unsolved technical problems remained. This paper clarifies the combined effects of the electrolytic dissolution and polishing action of abrasive grains in this method. It also describes the results of the experimental analysis of the surface roughness formation mechanism and the process for forming the required surface shape.