Electro-Polished Stainless Steel

Stainless steel forms a dark scale on its surface when forged, which causes the metal to rust if used outdoors. It can be stripped away by mechanically polishing the surface, or the work can be electro-polished. This is an industrial process where the work is immersed in a large chemical vat and electricity is passed through it. The bubbles that form slowly strip away the top layer of metal and at the same time leave it with a polished finish.The buds and wraps in the railings below were forged from 316 stainless steel and then electropolished.