Method for removal of certain oxide films from metal surfaces

A method for removing oxide films from a metal member, comprising the steps of:

• applying stress to an oxide film-covered metal member, so as to mechanically strain the oxide film sufficiently to produce a rupture through the oxide film approximately to the surface of the metal member;
• moving the metal member through an electrolysis cell bath having two spaced electrodes, wherein the metal member forms one electrode in the electrolysis cell bath;
• and
• applying a pulsating DC signal to the one electrode and to the other electrode in the electrolysis cell bath, wherein the oxide on the metal member is sufficiently ruptured that the pulsating DC signal flows through the rupture areas to the metal member, maintaining the metal member electrode in a state of depassivation such that no oxygen is produced therefrom, and loosening the oxide film from the metal member, so that the oxide film can be readily removed from the metal member.