Anodic dissolution of metals at high rates

Electrochemical metal shaping and finishing processes involve anodic dissolution of metals at high rates. This paper presents a review of some fundamental aspects related to the understanding of such processes. Included are discussions of the phenomena of passive film breakdown that lead to the transpassive dissolution of metals, some of the available information on anodic reaction stoichiometry, and the role of convective mass transport and salt precipitation layers on metal removal rate and surface finish. The use of pulsating current permits the altering of anodic mass transport rates and transpassive dissolution behavior, thereby making it possible to obtain high dissolution efficiencies even at low average current densities.