electrolytic polishing

"Electrolytic polishing" is a technique used for preparing a thin film on metal, alloy, etc. In this technique, a specimen (acting as an anode) and a platinum (Pt) plate or a stainless-steel (acting as a cathode) are immersed in a suitable electrolyte solvent. Then, an electrostatic potential is applied between these electrodes to elute the atoms of the specimen surface, and finally the specimen surface is thinned with its surface kept smooth. The advantage of electrolytic polishing is that a thinned specimen can be prepared with no mechanical stress.

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