USE OF HCL IN DRY ELECTROLYTES TO POLISH TI AND OTHER METAL AND ALLOY SURFACES BY ION TRANSPORT

Abstract

Use of dry electrolytes to polish titanium and other metal and alloy surfaces by ion transport wherein a conducting liquid in the dry electrolyte includes hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Claims

1. A method of polishing a metal surface by ion transport, the method comprising: placing the metal surface in contact with a plurality of dry electrolytes, each of the plurality of dry electrolytes including a particle containing an electrically conductive liquid comprising hydrochloric acid.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle comprises a sulfonated polymer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle comprises an ion exchange resin based in a styrene and divinylbenzene copolymer.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 1% to 38% by weight.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 3% to 20% by weight.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 5% to 15% by weight.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the solvent is water.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal surface is a titanium surface.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle has a water retention capacity ranging from 52% to 58%.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle is a sphere of an ion exchange resin.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sphere has a diameter between 0.6 millimeters to 0.8 millimeters.

12. A plurality of dry electrolytes each including a particle containing an electrically conductive liquid comprising a hydrochloric acid.

13. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the particle comprises a sulfonated polymer.

14. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the particle comprises an ion exchange resin based in a styrene and divinylbenzene copolymer.

15. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 1% to 38% by weight.

16. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 3% to 20% by weight.

17. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive liquid comprises a solvent with a concentration of the hydrochloric acid in relation to the solvent ranging from 5% to 15% by weight.

18. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 12, wherein the particle is a sphere of an ion exchange resin.

19. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 18, wherein the sphere has a diameter between 0.6 millimeters to 0.8 millimeters.

20. The plurality of dry electrolytes according to claim 18, wherein the sphere has a water retention capacity ranging from 52% to 58%.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0024] These are some example cases without limiting purpose.

Example 1

[0025] A dry electrolyte was used made of AMBERLITE 252RFH that contained HCl at 7% in water as conductive liquid to polish a surface of titanium. A part of titanium was moved having an 8 cm.sup.2 surface inside the dry electrolyte in an orbital cycle and the container of the dry electrolyte was vibrated. An electric current of 18 V, 20 μs positive, 20 μs negative and 10 μs to 0 V was applied to the part of titanium using an iridium mesh on titanium as counter electrode. After 10 minutes the surface had acquired spectacular properties.

Example 2

[0026] A dry electrolyte was used, AMBERLITE 252RFH that contained HCl at 14% in water as conductive liquid, to polish. A part of titanium of 55 cm.sup.2 was moved inside the dry electrolyte in an orbital cycle and the container of the dry electrolyte was vibrated. An electric current was applied of 40 V, 20 μs positive, 20 μs negative and 10 μs to 0 V to the part of titanium using an iridium mesh on titanium as counter electrode. After 30 minutes the surface had acquired spectacular properties.

[0027] Embodiments are provided in the clauses that follow.

[0028] Clause 1. Use of dry electrolytes to polish Ti and other metals and alloys surfaces through ion transport characterized in that the conductive liquid of the dry electrolyte comprises HCl.

[0029] Clause 2. Use of dry electrolytes to polish Ti and other metals and alloys surfaces through ion transport according to clause 1 characterized in that

[0030] the concentration of HCl in relation to the solvent is ranging from 1 to 38% by weight.

[0031] Clause 3. Use of dry electrolytes to polish Ti and other metals and alloys surfaces through ion transport according to clause 2 characterized in that the concentration of HCl in relation to the solvent is ranging from 5 and 15% by weight.

[0032] Clause 4. Dry electrolyte characterized in that it comprises hydrochloric acid as conductive liquid according to any of the preceding clauses.