During the electrolysis of stainless steel, the composition of the electrolyte plays an extremely critical role, profoundly affecting the effect of electrolysis and the final performance of stainless steel.
First, common electrolyte components include various acids, such as sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. Sulfuric acid mainly provides hydrogen ions in the electrolyte, which participate in the electrode reaction and promote the dissolution of metal on the surface of stainless steel. In the early stage of electrolysis, it can quickly remove the oxide layer and impurities on the surface of stainless steel, so that the electrolysis can proceed smoothly. Phosphoric acid has a certain buffering effect, which can stabilize the pH value of the electrolyte and prevent the instability of the electrolysis process caused by drastic changes in hydrogen ion concentration. For example, adding an appropriate amount of phosphoric acid to a high concentration of sulfuric acid electrolyte can effectively control the reaction rate and avoid excessive corrosion and uneven dissolution of the stainless steel surface caused by too fast a reaction.
Secondly, some salt substances are also often added to the electrolyte. For example, sulfates such as sodium sulfate. Sodium sulfate can improve the conductivity of the electrolyte, reduce resistance, and make the current distribution more uniform during the electrolysis process, thereby ensuring that all parts of the stainless steel surface can receive relatively consistent electrolysis treatment. This is essential for obtaining a smooth and uniform electrolytic surface effect. At the same time, certain specific salts may also react with certain elements in stainless steel to further affect the dissolution and deposition process of the metal, change the microstructure and chemical composition of the stainless steel surface, and then affect its final performance such as corrosion resistance and hardness.
Furthermore, additives also play an important role in stainless steel electrolysis electrolyte. Corrosion inhibitors are one of the important additives, such as benzotriazole. During the electrolysis process, corrosion inhibitors will be adsorbed on the surface of stainless steel, slowing down the dissolution rate of the metal and preventing stainless steel from being damaged by excessive corrosion during electrolysis. Brighteners can improve the glossiness of the stainless steel surface after electrolysis. By forming a uniform film with a certain gloss on the surface, the stainless steel surface is brighter and more beautiful, meeting some application scenarios with high requirements for appearance, such as the processing of decorative stainless steel products.
Finally, water in the electrolyte, as a solvent, not only provides a dispersion medium for other components, but also participates in some chemical reactions and ion transport processes during the electrolysis process. The purity of water has an important influence on the performance of the electrolyte. Water with too high impurity content may introduce additional ions, interfere with the normal electrolysis reaction, and affect the quality and effect of stainless steel electrolysis. Therefore, when preparing the electrolyte, deionized water or distilled water is usually required to ensure the purity and stability of the electrolyte components, thereby providing a good chemical environment for the stainless steel electrolysis process and obtaining ideal electrolysis effects and performance improvements.
