Cathodic degreasing

Cathodic degreasing is a process used in the surface preparation of metals, particularly in electroplating and the metalworking industry. In this process, an electrolytic bath is used in which the piece of metal to be cleaned acts as a cathode. By applying an electric current, an electrochemical reaction is induced which leads to the removal of oil, grease, dirt and other contaminants from the metal surface.

The operation of cathodic degreasing is based on the principles of electrochemistry. The piece of metal to be cleaned is immersed in a bath containing a suitable cleaning agent, which acts as an electrolyte. By applying a negative potential to the metal piece (cathode), an electrochemical reaction is induced in which the impurities are removed from the metal surface and dissolved.

Typically, an alkaline cleaning agent is used for cathodic degreasing, which is able to effectively dissolve grease and oil. The electrical potential applied to the metal piece accelerates the cleaning process by speeding up the removal of contaminants and ensuring that the metal surface is thoroughly cleaned.

This process offers several advantages over traditional degreasing methods, including greater cleaning efficiency, faster completion of the cleaning process and better control over the degree of cleanliness of the metal surface. In addition, cathodic degreasing enables the removal of contaminants even in hard-to-reach areas or complex geometries of metal parts. Overall, cathodic degreasing is an important step in the surface preparation of metals that helps to improve the quality and reliability of electroplated or coated metal parts.