Electrochemical Polishing of Silver in Acid Thiourea-Citrate Solutions in the Manufacture of Medical Instruments and Orthopedic Dental Structures

The kinetics of electrode reactions that progress on silver in acid thiourea-citrate solutions has been studied. It has been established that the electrochemical surface polishing effect is reached in these solutions. This effect is conditioned by the formation of the salt oxide film on the anode surface. Silver is ionized through the passive film that contributes to the dissolution of microelevations and the surface microprofile is smoothed. The silver dissolution (polishing) rate is limited by the inhibition of electrochemical reaction at the diffusion stage. The silver polishing process is affected by the following factors, in particular, the solution composition and the concentration of its components, the surfactant (ethylene glycol), the solution temperature, pH, the working current density and the anode potential.