Abstract: An electrolytic deburring system and method employing a relatively weakly conducting electrolyte with the cathode immersed in the electrolyte in which an anodic potential is applied to the workpiece being deburred. A conductive element acting as a virtual cathode is placed between the cathode and the part to provide a more conductive path than the existing path through the electrolyte to concentrate deburring action and/or shield a portion of the workpiece from the deburring action.For deburring a multiplicity of parts at the same time, two electrodes are immersed in the electrolyte and a potential difference is applied between them. Spaced parts placed between the electrodes assume potential differences leading to selective material removal from the relatively anodic portions of each part. The polarity of the applied potential may be reversed, thereby reversing the polarity of the potential differences between the parts to selectively remove material from the newly anodic portions of the parts.

Abstract: Articles of steel or aluminium alloy are anodically deburred in an acid solution (pH not above 6.5) containing______________________________________ grams per liter ______________________________________ water 100 to 300 alkali sulphamate 50 to 150 polyhydric alcohol 400 to 800 alkali nitrate 50 to 150 alkali chloride 50 to 150.

Abstract: Anodic deburring or brightening of steel articles is carried out in an alkaline solution containing, per liter of the solution, at least 200 grams of water, at least 300 grams of polyhydric alcohol and at least 200 grams of alkali sulphamate.