---
title: Electropolishing for Finishing Additive-Manufactured Parts | Able
description: Learn about the role that electropolishing plays in the manufacturing of additive-created metal parts, including as a final step in mechanical polishing
---

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- [Services](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/services/electropolishing/) 
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          - [Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing/) 
                  - Benefits 
                            - [Corrosion Resistance](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/benefits-of-electropolishing/corrosion-resistance/)
                            - [Microfinishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/benefits-of-electropolishing/microfinishing/)
                            - [Deburring](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/benefits-of-electropolishing/deburring/)
                            - [Ultracleaning & Decorative Finishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/ultra-high-purity/)
                            - [Fatigue Life Improvement](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/benefits-of-electropolishing/fatigue-life-improvement/)
          - [What Is Electropolishing?](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/what-is-electropolishing-and-how-does-it-work/) 
                  - [Material Removal Control](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/material-removal-control/)
          - [Electropolishing vs. Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-vs-electropolishing/)
          - [Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-pickling-electropolishing/)
          - [How to Specify Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/specifying-electropolishing/)
          - [Bulk Electropolishing for Fasteners](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/automation-enhanced-bulk-electropolishing-for-fasteners/)
          - [Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation/) 
                  - [Nitric](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/aluminum/)
                  - [Citric](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/al6xn-electropolishing)
                  - [Brite](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/brass/)
          - [In-House Testing & Analysis](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/in-house-testing-and-analysis-for-critical-metal-parts/)
          - [Vacuum Vapor Degreasing Services](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/vacuum-vapor-degreasing-service/)
          - [The Able Electropolishing Process](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-process/)
          - [Turnkey Sourcing Service](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/turnkey-sourcing-service/) 
                  - [Access our Extensive Network of Reliable Suppliers & Finishers](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/turnkey-sourcing-service/)
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          - Technical Guide: Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing?
          - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ppe-guide-menu_v2.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-pickling-or-electropolishing-guide?__hstc=51647990.0a919fe92be7e1034b7c346e0750ab88.1680609944771.1681219093451.1681452951062.7&__hssc=51647990.3.1681452951062&__hsfp=2175177973)
- [Alloys](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/) 
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          - Electropolishing eliminates microscopic imperfections for the following alloys: 
                  - inner-col-1 
                            - [Stainless Steel 200 & 300 Series](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/200-300-series-stainless-steel/)
                            - [Stainless Steel 400 Series](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/400-series-stainless-steel/)
                            - [Aluminum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/aluminum/)
                            - [AL6XN](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/al6xn-electropolishing/)
                            - [Carbon Steel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/carbon-steels/)
                            - [Cobalt 21 & Cobalt-Chrome](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/cobalt-21-cobalt-chrome-electropolishing-services/)
                            - [Copper & Brass](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/copper-and-brass/)
                            - [Elgiloy](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/elgiloy-electropolishing/)
                            - [Hastelloy](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/hastelloy-electropolishing/)
                            - [Haynes 214 & 230](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/haynes-214-haynes-230-electropolishing/)
                            - [Molybdenum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/molybdenum-electropolishing/)
                            - [MP35N](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/mp35n-electropolishing/)
                  - inner-col-2 
                            - [Nickel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/nickel/)
                            - [Nitinol](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/nitinol/)
                            - [Niobium](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/niobium-electropolishing/)
                            - [Tantalum](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tantalum-electropolishing/)
                            - [Titanium](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/titanium/)
                            - [Tungsten](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tungsten-electropolishing/)
                            - [TZM](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/tzm-electropolishing/)
                            - [Exotic & Other Metal](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/unusual-stainless-steel/)
                            - [Precipitating Hardening Grade Stainless Steel](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/alloys-electropolished/precipitating-hardening-grade/)
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          - TECHNICAL GUIDE: YOUR SOLUTION TO METAL SURFACE PROBLEMS
          - ![](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/hubfs/able-menu-images/solution-guide.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/solutions-for-metal-surface-problems)
- [Industries](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/) 
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          - [Aerospace](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/aerospace/)
          - [Automotive](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/automotive/)
          - [Consumer Appliances](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/consumer-appliances/)
          - [Dental](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/dental/)
          - [Electronics](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/electronics/)
          - [Fire Safety](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/fire-safety/)
          - [Food & Beverage](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/food-and-beverages/)
          - [Hydraulic & Pneumatic](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/hydraulic-pneumatic/)
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          - [Laser, Optics & Photonics](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/laser-photonics-industry/)
          - [Marine](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/marine-industry/)
          - [Meat & Poultry Processing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/electropolishing-meat-poultry-industry/)
          - [Medical Devices, Implants & Surgical Instruments](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/medical-device-manufacturing/)
          - [National Labs & Higher Education](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/national-labshigher-education/)
          - [Pharmaceutical](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/pharmaceutical/)
          - [Power & Grid Infrastructure](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/power-grid-energy-infrastructure-electropolishing/)
          - [Semiconductor](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/industry-solutions/semiconductor-industry/)
    - Col-3 
          - Technical Guide: Metal Finishing for the Medical Industry
          - ![](https://ableep.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/medical-cover.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-medical-industry)
- [Blog](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/) 
    - RECENT POSTS 
          - [How Electropolishing Eliminates Microburrs](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/how-electropolishing-eliminates-microburrs)
          - [Electropolishing for Refractory Metals](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/improve-the-finish-fit-function-of-refractory-metal-parts-able)
          - [How Electropolishing Delivers a Defect-Free Surface Finish and Added Longevity for Hard-Working Springs](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/how-electropolishing-delivers-a-defect-free-surface-finish-and-added-longevity-for-hard-working-springs)
    - Col-2 
          - Technical Guide: Your Solution to Metal Surface Problems
          - ![](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solution-guide.png?width=600&name=solution-guide.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/solutions-for-metal-surface-problems)
    - Col-3 
          - Technical Guide: Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing?
          - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ppe-guide-menu_v2.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-pickling-or-electropolishing-guide?__hstc=51647990.0a919fe92be7e1034b7c346e0750ab88.1680609944771.1681452951062.1681460305179.8&__hssc=51647990.1.1681460305179&__hsfp=2175177973)
- [Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) 
    - [Featured Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/)
    - [Before & After Electropolishing Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/before-and-after-electropolishing-videos/)
- [Learning Center](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/) 
    - Col-1 
          - [Electropolishing 101 Webinar](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/en/webinar)
          - [Case Studies](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-case-studies/)
          - [White Papers](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/white-papers/) 
                  - [Electropolishing for Metal Fasteners](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/metal-fasteners-whitepaper)
                  - [Electropolishing to Improve Corrosion Protection](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-to-improve-corrosion-protection)
                  - [Advantages of Electropolishing for Deburring Metal Parts](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/deburring-whitepaper)
          - [Electropolishing & Passivation Standards](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-passivation-standards/) 
                  - [AMS 2700 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/ams-2700-passivation/)
                  - [ASTM A380 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-a380-passivation/)
                  - [ASTM A967 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-a967-passivation/)
                  - [ASTM F86 Passivation](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-f86-passivation/)
                  - [ASTM F86 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-f86-electropolishing/)
                  - [ASTM B912 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/astm-b912-electropolishing/)
                  - [ISO 15730 Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/standards/iso-15730-electropolishing/)
          - [FAQ](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/frequently-asked-questions/)
          - [Passivation vs. Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/passivation-vs-electropolishing/)
          - [Passivation, Pickling or Electropolishing](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/passivation-pickling-or-electropolishing-guide)
    - Col-2 
          - [Electropolishing Before & Afters](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/case-studies/)
          - [Industry Technical Guides](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/technical-guides/) 
                  - [Electropolishing for the Medical Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-medical-industry)
                  - [Electropolishing for the Aerospace Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-aerospace-industry)
                  - [Electropolishing for the Food Industry](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/finishing-food-industry)
          - [Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/) 
                  - [Featured Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/videos/)
                  - [Before & After Electropolishing Videos](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/before-and-after-electropolishing-videos/)
          - [What Is Electropolishing](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/what-is-electropolishing/)
          - [Electropolishing 101 Quiz](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/resources/electropolishing-101-quiz/)
          - [Blog](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/) 
                  - [State-of-the-Art Automation for Customized, Consistently High-Quality Results](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/electropolishing-automation-ensures-consist-quality-able)
                  - [Why Able? Reliable Results for Critically Important Parts](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/why-able-reliable-results-for-critically-important-parts)
                  - [Get Products to Market Faster with Cost Effective Contract Cleaning Services](https://blog.ableelectropolishing.com/get-products-to-market-faster-with-cost-effective-contract-cleaning)
    - Col-3 
          - Technical Guide: Your Solution to Metal Surface Problems
          - ![](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solution-guide.png?width=600&name=solution-guide.png)
          - [Download](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/solutions-for-metal-surface-problems)
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    - Col-1 
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    - Col-2 
          - Line Card
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          - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Able-Line-Card-Update-2025.pdf)
    - Col-3 
          - ISO 9001: 2015
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          - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-9001-Certificate.pdf)
    - Col-4 
          - ISO 13485: 2016
          - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-13485.png)
          - [Download](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISO-13485-Certificate.pdf)
    - Col-4 
          - AS9100: 2016
          - ![](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AS-9100-Certificate.png)
          - [Download](https://ableep.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23321_05.19.25-AS9100-2016.pdf)
- [Contact](https://www.ableelectropolishing.com/contact/)

# wHITE PAPER: **Electropolishing for Improved Finish, Fit and Function of Additive-Manufactured Parts**

![additive cover](https://go.ableelectropolishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/additive%20cover.png?width=263&height=329&name=additive%20cover.png)

The expanding use of additive manufacturing – commonly known as 3D printing – for manufacturing critical metal components is driving interest in electropolishing among manufacturers using additive processes to create parts for everything from medical implants to aerospace and automotive components.

But like traditional manufacturing methods, additive processes can also leave parts with surface imperfections like microburrs and cracks that affect part fit, function and durability.

In this white paper, you will learn the role that electropolishing plays in the manufacturing of additive-created metal parts, including as a final step in a process that can also include mechanical polishing methods.

You’ll also learn:

- How additive manufacturing works
- Finishing options used with additive manufacturing
- Electropolishing's role in finishing parts manufactured via additive technology
- How electropolishing works
- The benefits of electropolishing alone and with other finishing methods
- *And more*

### Download the White Paper

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