US6835300B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electropolishing solution and methods for its use and recovery
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 2002-09-13
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Granted: 2004-12-28
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Expires: 2022-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrolyte solution containing an alkylene glycol and a chloride salt is useful for electropolishing metal substrates. An electropolishing method using the electrolyte solution is effective for polishing a varied of metals, including titanium and noble metals. The method avoids the handling and disposal challenges associated with previous methods using etching solutions containing hydrofluoric acid. A method of recycling the spent electrolyte solution is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Shoulian Zhu
- 👤 Bang Mo Kim
- 👤 Jeffery L. Schworm
- 👤 Kevin C. Green
- 👤 Paul Guilmette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:06
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B37/00; B24B37/04; B24B37/042; B23; B23H; B23H3/00; B23H3/08; C; C25; C25F; C25F3/00; C25F3/16; C25F7/00; C25F7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An electropolishing solution, comprising: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of an alkylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of a chloride salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkaline earth metal chlorides, and combinations thereof; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electropolishing solution, comprising: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of an alkylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of a chloride salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkaline earth metal chlorides, and combinations thereof; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electropolishing solution of claim 1 , wherein the alkylene glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, dibutylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electropolishing solution of claim 1 , wherein the alkylene glycol comprises ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electropolishing solution of claim 1 , wherein the chloride salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electropolishing solution of claim 1 , wherein the chloride salt comprises potassium chloride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electropolishing solution of claim 1 , comprising less than 0.5 weight percent fluoride ion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electropolishing solution, comprising: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of ethylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of potassium chloride; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electropolishing solution, comprising: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of ethylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of potassium chloride; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electropolishing solution, consisting essentially of: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of ethylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of potassium chloride; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electropolishing solution, consisting essentially of: about 75 to about 99 weight percent of ethylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of potassium chloride; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electropolishing method, comprising: disposing a metallic substrate and at least one electrode in an electrolyte solution; wherein the electrolyte solution comprises about 75 to about 99 weight percent of an alkylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of a chloride salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkaline earth metal chlorides, and combinations thereof; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water, applying a current from a power source between the at least one electrode and the metallic substrate to remove metal from the metallic substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electropolishing method, comprising: disposing a metallic substrate and at least one electrode in an electrolyte solution; wherein the electrolyte solution comprises about 75 to about 99 weight percent of an alkylene glycol; about 1 to about 25 weight percent of a chloride salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkaline earth metal chlorides, and combinations thereof; and less than or equal to 5 weight percent water, applying a current from a power source between the at least one electrode and the metallic substrate to remove metal from the metallic substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electropolishing method of claim 9 , wherein the current is applied using a voltage of about 3 to about 100 volts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electropolishing method of claim 9 , wherein the current is applied at a current density of about 0.1 to about 20 amperes per square-centimeter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electropolishing method of claim 9 , wherein the electrolyte solution has a temperature of about 50 to about 200° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electropolishing method of claim 9 , wherein metal is removed from the metallic substrate at a rate of about 1 to 200 micrometers per minute.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-12-28 | 2008-06-28 | 2008-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-12-28 | 2012-06-28 | 2012-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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