Plasma-Electrolytic Polishing as a Post-Processing Technology for Additively Manufactured Parts

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) as a key enabling technology provides new options for engineering design of complex parts. Freeform shapes, grid-like structures and internal cavities enable functional integration, reducing assembly and space requirements and increasing reliability. Metal AM technologies, however, require post-processing in order to achieve acceptable surface roughness and -functionality. Plasma-electrolytic polishing can, due to its toolless nature and excellent achievable surface properties, be a beneficial option.