Mirror Finished Stainless pipe??

[BearM]

Where can I find this in 20' lengths? I am located in Mississippi and have been searching for a while now. I need 1-1/2" OD SS pipe for a long handrail. I need it already mirror finished so I won't have to go back and finish the rest of the pipe, only my welds. Anyone know of a place I can buy it?

[duaneb55]

Check with these guys.

http://www.spsomro.com/

They do electro-polishing of SS pipe (looks like chrome) but I don't recall what the length capacity of their EP tank is.

[duaneb55]

Just had to look.

7'x3.5'x4' Tank. Don't know if double dipping works but even if it does overall length will be limited to less than 20'.

[Ltbadd]

Just had to look.

7'x3.5'x4' Tank. Don't know if double dipping works but even if it does overall length will be limited to less than 20'.

Double dipping is possible, however there could be lines.

Most important, electropolishing will not put a mirror finish on stainless, it will only bring out whatever finish is ALREADY there. In fact you'll see imperfections you may not have seen before the process.

To the OP, if you really need 1.5" OD then its tubing your looking for, not pipe.

[MMW]

Try here. I used to deal with these guys when they were located in NJ. Now they are in North Carolina.

http://www.architecturalmetals.com/

[duaneb55]

Ltbadd, I think you're confusing electropolishing with chemical passivation. I've seen it and the process and it looks like chrome.

[Ltbadd]

I've seen it and the process and it looks like chrome.

You are right, however to someone who may not be familiar with the process they could be lead to believe that if stainless is electropolished it will (automatically) look like chrome. If (stainless) having a brightened finish is being referred to as (looking like) chrome then okay.

I am responding to the OP's request for a mirror finish.

Stainless will brighten, but it not look like a chrome bumper with a mirror finish UNLESS the pipe (or tube) was polished before the EP process.

So my point is if the OP wants a true mirror finish the tube would need to polished to a mirror finish before the electropolishing process.

Electropolishing, which is a higher forum of passivation will magnify (or bring out) whatever the finish is of the part being electropolished.

[Burnt hands]

This company may have something you can use but depending on how much you need, it could be expensive.

They also have stainless fittings for the rail.

http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=27428

http://www.kingmetals.com/ProductAvailability.aspx?ItemNumber=27428

Dallas location is close to you.

Good luck,

[duaneb55]

You are right, however to someone who may not be familiar with the process they could be lead to believe that if stainless is electropolished it will (automatically) look like chrome. If (stainless) having a brightened finish is being referred to as (looking like) chrome then okay.

I am responding to the OP's request for a mirror finish.

Stainless will brighten, but it not look like a chrome bumper with a mirror finish UNLESS the pipe (or tube) was polished before the EP process.

So my point is if the OP wants a true mirror finish the tube would need to polished to a mirror finish before the electropolishing process.

Electropolishing, which is a higher forum of passivation will magnify (or bring out) whatever the finish is of the part being electropolished.

We're obviously talking about two completely different "elecropolishing" processes then because the one I'm referring to is certainly NOT a higher form of passivation which is purely a "passive" chemical action to remove impurities following fabrication processes (ie welding, machining, etc.) to restore the microscopic oxide layer to preserve the materials resistance to corrosion whereas electropolishing involves actual removal of parent material via electrical current in an electrolyte bath that results in a finish superior to mechanical polishing.

Look it up.

http://www.delstar.com/

[Ltbadd]

duaneb55, I think we're on the same path here,

ASTM B912 Standard Specification for Passivation of Stainless Steels Using Electropolishing

From the link... Abstract
This specification covers the passivation by electropolishing of stainless steel alloys in the 200, 300, and 400 series, as well as precipitation-hardened alloys...

Note 1—Surface passivation occurs simultaneously with electropolishing under proper operating conditions. The quality of passivation will depend on the type of stainless steel, the formulation of the electropolishing solution, and the conditions of operation. Free iron on the surface of the stainless steel is removed resulting in improved corrosion resistance. Surface smoothing obtained by electropolishing will also improve corrosion resistance. Electropolishing will also remove heat tint and oxide scale.

[duaneb55]

Alright, I'll have to concede on electropolishing being a "higher (form) of passivation" as I was focusing on the actual finish appearance and differences of the two processes.

However, I maintain that an elecropolished finish is superior to a mechanic polish and wouldn't be surprised if the "polished" railing material the OP is seeking is nothing more than electropolished.