Electrolytic Cleaning

This process, either cathodic or anodic, is often used for treatment of metals prior to electroplating, using current to disintegrate surface film. It uses an electronic power supply and an electrically conducting solution (such as dilute acid, dilute caustic or salt water). If the work piece is connected to the negative polarity of the electronic power supply, the work-piece is considered to be the cathode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of hydrogen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). If the work-piece is connected to the positive polarity, the work piece is considered to be the anode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of oxygen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). For steel, anodic cleaning is preferred to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. The solutions used do not differ substantially from those employed in non-electrolytic cleaning.