Electropolishing solution containing a water sequestering agent and methods of use thereof

A method for sequestering water in an electropolishing electrolyte solution, comprising:

• positioning a substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution in an electropolishing cell;
• adding a first quantity of a water sequestering agent to the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution;
• and
• electropolishing a metal article in the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution in the electropolishing cell, wherein water evolved during the electropolishing of the metal article is sequestered by the water sequestering agent.

A method for electropolishing a metal article, comprising:

• positioning a substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution in an electropolishing cell,
• wherein the electropolishing cell includes a reservoir configured to contain the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution, an anode and a cathode suspended in the electrolyte and connected to an electrical power supply;
• adding a first quantity of at least one water sequestering agent to the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution, wherein the at least one water sequestering agent includes at least one polyfunctional alcohol;
• connecting a metal article to an anode and positioning the metal article in the reservoir in the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution;
• and
• running an electrical current through the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution via the anode and the cathode so as to electropolish the metal article, wherein water evolved during the electropolishing is sequestered by the water sequestering agent so as to preserve the substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution.