finishing-and-treatment-manufacturing-processes > Electrochemical Deburring (ECD)

Electrochemical Deburring (ECD) is a localised material removal technique which uses electricity to remove unwanted burrs and sharp edges from components. The process is particularly good for deburring or adding a radius to edges in difficult to access areas, such as the intersections of internal passages.

Also known as Electrolytic Deburring, ECD is a non-contact process where the component is placed on a non-metallic locator to hold it in position. An electrode, which follows the desired contours of the component, is placed in close proximity (>1mm) to the workpiece. The component is charged positively, and the electrode charged negatively, with electrical energy passing between the two to remove the burr. An electrolytic solution flows between the electrode and component to flush out any particles. A filtration system is implemented to remove the particles from the solution, allowing it to be reused for months.

ECD is an extremely consistent process which provides burr removal in a specific location of the component, rather than removing all burrs from the complete component. Additionally, ECD can only be applied to materials which can conduct electricity.

This process is popular in the oil and gas industry, where seals are required. By removing any sharp edges or burrs, the risk of damaging the seal is greatly reduced. Another popular application where ECD is applied is during gear manufacture. The process can accurately remove unwanted material without damaging the gear itself.