Anodizing, conversion & passivation · finish comparison
Electropolishing vs Stainless Steel Pickling
Electropolishing and Stainless Steel Pickling are both passivation & electropolishing finishes; electropolishing resists corrosion better.
Electropolishing
Passivation & electropolishing · $$$ · instant quote
Electropolishing is controlled anodic dissolution that brightens, deburrs, and smooths stainless steel and other qualified alloys.
Stainless Steel Pickling
Passivation & electropolishing · $ · instant quote
Pickling chemically removes weld heat tint, oxide scale, and the chromium-depleted metal beneath it from stainless steel.
When to choose which
Choose Electropolishing
Choose Electropolishing when controlled smoothing and brightening are also required.
- Removes about 5–25 µm per surface
- Reduces microscopic peaks and cleanability traps
- Deburrs very small edges without embedded abrasive
Choose Stainless pickling
Choose Stainless pickling when scale removal is the goal, not a bright finish.
- Removes weld heat tint that passivation alone cannot remove
- Eliminates oxide scale and embedded iron contamination
- Restores a clean surface before controlled passivation
What the numbers say
- Electropolishing resists corrosion better.
- Stainless pickling is the lower-cost option ($).
- Electropolishing is the thinner coating (removes 5–25 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Electropolishing | Stainless pickling |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 45 Fair | 28 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 82 Very good | 20 Low |
| Lubricity | 35 Fair | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 54 $$$ | 12 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Electropolishing | Stainless pickling |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | removes 5–25 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Premium ($$$) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 3–6 working days | 2–5 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Electropolishing | Stainless pickling |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Cobalt-Chrome Alloy | With care | — |
| DMLS / SLM | With care | With care |
| Nickel Alloy | With care | — |
| Aluminum | Limited | No |
| Brass | Limited | No |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | No |
| Steel | Limited | No |
| Titanium | Limited | Limited |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Electropolishing
- ASTM B912 — Standard Specification for Passivation of Stainless Steels Using Electropolishing
ELECTROPOLISH STAINLESS STEEL PER ASTM B912; REMOVE 0.0002–0.0005 IN PER SURFACE; FINAL Ra 0.4 µm MAX; MASK THREADS
Stainless pickling
- ASTM A380 — Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems
PICKLE STAINLESS STEEL WELDMENTS PER ASTM A380 TO REMOVE ALL HEAT TINT AND SCALE, THEN PASSIVATE PER ASTM A967 CITRIC 2
Electropolishing vs Stainless pickling — frequently asked
What is the difference between Electropolishing and Stainless pickling?
Electropolishing and Stainless Steel Pickling are both passivation & electropolishing finishes; electropolishing resists corrosion better. Stainless pickling is the lower-cost option ($). Electropolishing is the thinner coating (removes 5–25 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Electropolishing instead of Stainless pickling?
Choose Electropolishing when controlled smoothing and brightening are also required. Conversely: choose Stainless pickling when scale removal is the goal, not a bright finish.
Is Electropolishing or Stainless pickling cheaper?
Stainless pickling is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$$ for Electropolishing) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.