A kinetic study of the electropolishing 0f cubiform surfaces undernatural convection conditions

Abstract

The rates of electropolishing copper cubiform surfaces in H3PO4 were studied under
natural convection conditions in a two-compartment cell. The following variables were
studied : anode shape and its dimensions ( cubiform ) , H3PO4 concentration, temperature and
viscosity of polishing solution.
The dimensions of cubiform of the anode were found to have no effect on the polishing
current density. Also it was found that the polishing current density to increase with
decreasing H3PO4 concentration and to increase with increasing temperature. The effect of the
temperature on the polishing current density was found to obey the Arrhenius equation with
an activation energy of 4.9 kcalmol-1. The polishing current density was found to decrease
with increasing viscosity of electropolishing solution .