3. Electrolytic pickling

This type of pickling is generally used on stainless steels, which are continuously treated (strip). The principle is simple: the product to be pickled is subjected to anodic and/or cathodic polarization. The objectives are manifold:

• accelerated proton penetration of the oxide layer (under the effect of the electric field),

• reduction of "higher" oxides (calamines) to iron protoxide,

• action of gaseous evolution (oxygen + hydrogen) at the metal interface, resulting from alternating anodic and cathodic polarization, and promoting desquamation of the scale layer,

• better control of stripping conditions,

• productivity gains