Processes, Features and Benefits

The Process

Unlike mechanical processes such as grinding or honing, workpieces are treated gently: even difficult-to-access corners, edges and cavities are uniformly reached and precisely smoothed.

As a result of the process, roughness and surface defects are significantly reduced, which results in higher fatigue strength, improved sliding properties and a uniformly smooth surface.

Bore in carbon steel ball bearing ring before and after FerroChem treatment

Benefits of chemically polished surfaces

- Lower friction coefficients and improved sliding properties
- Precise adherence to dimensional tolerances
- Enhanced surface homogeneity and adhesion
- Improved strength of welded and soldered joints
- Removal of crack initiation sites and particles
- Complete deburring and smoothing of difficult-to-access surfaces and edges
- Metallically pure, bright surfaces
- No mechanical or thermal stress on the workpieces
- Uniform material removal within tight tolerances
- Economical, reproducible process with minimal emissions

Applications

FerroChem and ChemoLux processes are used across numerous industries, wherever precision, surface quality and dimensional accuracy are critical:

- Valves and appliances
- Automotive components
- Strips and wires
- Containers
- Turned and milled parts
- Injecton Nozzles
- Springs and switching elements
- Chains
- Ball bearing cages
- Needles
- Pipes
- Stamped parts
- Hydraulic and pneumatic controls
- Textile machine components
- Watch components
- Gears and pinions

How FerroChem and ChemoLux Processes work

Chemical polishing performs controlled material removal on metal surfaces. Burrs, flakes and micro-roughness are evenly removed, while preserving precise workpiece geometry.

Components are immersed in the process bath in baskets, drums or racks. For long tubes or bores, the solution can be pumped direclty through the component.

FerroChem and ChemoLux baths are chemically stable and enable precise control of material removal through immersion time. Typical removal rate — depending on material and hardness — ranges from 0.5 to 4 µm per minute and can be increased by solution agitation. The processes provide best in class performance, economic efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Full Service from ElpoChem

For maximum process reliability, ElpoChem supports its customers with a comprehensive single-source service package:

- Supply of all required process chemicals (including pre- and post-treatment)
- Training and information for operating personnel
- Process-specific support and on-site troubleshooting
- Regular analysis and correction instructions of customers process chemistry

Result

Chemical deburring and polishing using FerroChem and ChemoLux processes delivers metallicaly pure and micro-smoothed surfaces without mechanical or thermal influences — the basis for durable, resilient and visually flawless metal components.