TABLE OF CONTENTS The processes and solutions described in this section are intended to give a general guide to surface finishing procedures. To operate these systems on an industrial scale would normally require recourse to one of the Chemical Supply Houses which retail properietary solutions. This particularly applies to electroplating baths containing brighteners.
The following abrasive powders are used for polishing metal.
Aluminium oxide made by fusing bauxite. Used for cutting down in the same way as emery.
Certain grades of alumina are used for polishing stainless steel and chromium. The material is generally used in the form of a composition in which the powder is mixed with stearines or other fats.
Used principally in cutting down and for preliminary operations. It is applied to the mop by means of an adhesive, usually glue. Emery powder is an impure aluminium oxide containing about 50 60% Al 2O 3, 30 40% magnetite and small amounts of ferric oxide, silica, chromium, etc. Emery powder should never be used on magnesium or aluminium components because of the adverse effect on corrosion resistance.
A calcined diatomaceous earth used for polishing brass, steel and aluminium. It is used generally in the intermediate stages, and is usually compounded with stearines and paraffin wax to make a polishing composition which can be used directly on a mop.
A polishing composition consisting essentially of ferric oxide, of coarser grade than rouge, used for polishing iron and steel, and also, tin. Usually...
