The electropolishing of NiTi shape memory alloys was surveyed electrochemically. Anodic polarization of NiTi up to 8 V was performed in various aqueous and methanolic H2SO4 solutions. The passivity could be overcome in methanolic solutions with 0.1 mol dm(-3) <= C-H2SO4 <= 7 mol dm(-3). The dissolution kinetics was studied in dependence of the polarization potential, the H2SO4-concentration, the water concentration and the temperature. For lower concentrations of sulfuric acids (C-H2SO4 <= 0.3 mol dm(-3))electropolishing conditions were not observed for potentials up to 8 V. The dissolution remained under Ohmic control. In the concentration range from I to 7 mol dm(-3) a potential independent limiting current was registered depending linearly on the logarithm of concentration. The best results were obtained with a 3 mol dm(-3) methanolic sulfuric acid at 263 K which yielded an electropolishing current of 500 A m(-2) at a potential of 8 V. Surface roughness as well as current efficiency showed an optimum under these conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.