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+ Electrolysis
+ Electrochemistry
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Alan Coupe

What current and voltage are best for electrolysis rust removal?

Andy Heilveil  Follow

In order to answer the question we also need how large a part you are electrolyzing.

The current density in $mA/cm^2$ is the key number. For electrolysis on stainless steel, I would say you need to stay less than about $ 1~mA/cm^2$ to stay safe.

The voltage is hard to gauge. In any two electrode system like yours, the electrochemical potential is only one part of the total potential. The total potential includes contributions from the resistance of the solution, resistance of the contacts, overpotential of the counter reaction, etc... The current should be a decent gauge of what you are seeing.

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Bill Starmann  Follow

This is what I found (only in Czech):webpage

Power source should be around 15V/5A. The cleaned part acts as negative electrode- applied voltage should be as high as needed to reach 2A. The electrolyte (described in the source) is based on water and sodium carbonate. Derusting should be done between 2 to 4 hours. Let us know if it helps or how it works.

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