Electrochemical polishing of 316L stainless steel slotted tube coronary stents

Surface smoothness is one of the properties determining the performance of stents. Therefore, surface polishing shows its importance in the exploitation and production of stents. The present study explores electrochemical polishing of 316L stainless steel slotted tube coronary stents produced by laser cutting. Acid pickling was also studied as a pre-treatment of electrochemical polishing of the stents to remove the slag (oxides) formed in the production of the stents. Meanwhile, removal of the material was measured as well, caused by both acid pickling and electrochemical polishing processes. It is found that the slag formed on the surface of stents due to the laser cutting production process could be removed by means of acid pickling. Electrochemical polishing results in a smooth stent surface. Meanwhile, both acid pickling and electrochemical polishing applied in the present study have a proper removal of the stent material. (C) 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.