Effect of The Number of Hydroxyls and Carbons on the Solubility of Sodium Chloride in Alcohol and The Electropolishing Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in Alcohol-Salt System

Ethylene glycol-sodium chloride (NaCl) is an environmentally friendly electrolyte in the electropolishing of titanium. To better understand the effect of the alcohol on the electropolishing of titanium, the solubility of NaCl in different alcohols and the electropolishing of titanium with different mixtures have been systematically investigated. The results reveal that the solubility of NaCl increases with the increase of hydroxyls (-OH), but decreases with the increase of carbons (C) in alkyl (-R). Moreover, the conductivity of the electrolyte increases both as the increasing of NaCl concentration and temperature, and methanol, 1,2-propanediol, and glycerol-NaCl electrolytes could be also selected as candidates for further electropolishing titanium group metals.