Hug Oberflächentechnik AG

FINISHING STAINLESS STEEL FOR 40 YEARS

The core business of Hug Oberflächentechnik AG comprises the pickling, electropolishing, and passivation of stainless steel. The company moved to its current location in Wolfwil in 2008 in order to optimize its individual processes. The company has over 40 years of experience in stainless steel finishing.

The company motto "Stainless steel surfaces from matte to glossy" describes the production processes. Surface treatments are carried out on everything from simple parts for industry to high-quality products for medical technology, the pharmaceutical industry, and sterile technology.

We strive to perform at our best every day, to fulfill our customers' wishes to the best of our knowledge and belief, to deliver first-class results on time, and to process every order in a cost-effective manner.

 

Services

• Electropolishing

ELECTROPOLISHING FROM MATT TO SHINY

Why electropolishing?

It reduces micro-roughness, thereby significantly reducing the risk of dirt or product residues adhering to the surface.

THE ADVANTAGES OF ELECTROPOLISHED SURFACES ARE:

Metallically pure and stress-free, smooth and crack-free in the micro range, shiny and decorative, improved corrosion resistance, reduced friction and wear, easier cleaning, reduced coating formation and reduced germ growth, optimal weldability and solderability, possible quality control by revealing processing and material defects, production of extremely pure surfaces

COMPONENTS:

Pipes, fittings, special parts, heat exchanger pipes/plates, valves, pumps, containers, mixers, agitators, funnels, trays, tubs, perforated plates, grids, plates, sheets

AREAS OF APPLICATION:

Apparatus engineering, plant engineering, beverage industry, food industry, biotechnology, sterile technology, medical technology, electronics industry, vacuum technology, paper industry, environmental technology, architecture, construction industry, household goods, pharmaceuticals, machine industry, textile industry, railway technology, vehicle construction, industry

 

• Pickling

Why pickling?

Pickling ensures the corrosion resistance of stainless steel workpieces and has a decisive influence on their service life and usefulness.

 

COMPONENTS:

• Pipes, molded parts, special parts, containers, funnels, trays, tubs, grids, sheet metal parts, racks, tables, posts, railings, machine frames, etc.

AREAS OF APPLICATION:

• Apparatus engineering, plant engineering, electronics industry, environmental technology, construction industry, machine industry, metal construction, food industry, etc.

 

• Passivation

Corrosion resistance through passivation

The corrosion resistance of "stainless steel" is based on a complex, chromium-rich passive oxide layer on the steel. This is the normal surface condition of stainless steels, which is characterized by passivity.

Stainless steel passivates independently if a bare metal surface is exposed to environmental conditions that provide sufficient oxygen to form the chromium-rich oxide layer.

The chromium content of stainless steels is primarily responsible for self-passivation. Unlike unalloyed and low-alloy steels, stainless steels must contain at least 10.5% chromium. The carbon content must not exceed
not exceed 1.2%.

Technically, this process is accelerated by immersion in nitric or citric acid, which also increases the thickness of the passive layer.

Hug Oberflächentechnik AG offers the passivation of medical devices, such as surgical instruments, in accordance with ASTM A967 using the nitric and citric processes.

Both processes are validated according to ASTM A967. There is also evidence that no process residues can be found on the products (cleanliness validation).

 

• Medical technology

Validation of electropolishing and passivation Nitric 2 and Citric according to ASTM A967

Electropolishing and passivation are frequently used final treatments in the manufacture of medical devices made of stainless steel.

Hug Oberflächentechnik AG has been processing medical devices for distributors and suppliers for many years. Medical devices are electropolished and passivated on a specific system. The systems are state-of-the-art, qualified (IQ and OQ), and maintained according to a maintenance plan. The process parameters and procedures have been developed and validated according to ASTM A967.

Process validation was carried out with external support from a specialist company. This confirms two endpoints:

• Validation of electropolishing and passivation Nitric 2 and Citric according to ASTM A967

• Validation of cleanliness and freedom from process residues. This was confirmed by cytotoxicity < 10%
  and the absence of non-polar and polar extractable and ionic substances.

The validation certificates can be viewed on site and are not issued (internal know-how).

 

• Further surface treatments
• Additional services
• Transport