What chemicals are used for passivation?

There are three chemicals broadly used for passivating stainless steel; phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and citric acid. Each has its relative strengths compared to the others making them more suitable to certain applications over others.

What is passivation solution?

According to ASTM A967, the definition of passivation is: the chemical treatment of stainless steel with a mild oxidant, such as a nitric acid solution, for the purpose of the removal of free iron or other foreign matter.”

How do you remove weld marks from stainless steel?

Pickling Paste: The Old Standby Pickling paste has long been a standard way to remove heat tint from stainless steel welds. The paste, made from hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid, is applied to the affected areas using a brush or spray, then later removed and neutralized with a neutralizing agent.

How does TIG brush work?

Its proprietary, conductive brush applies a cleaning fluid to the work surface, producing an electro-chemical cleaning action with astoundingly fast and effective results. Driving the TIG Brush™ is Ensitech’s Dynamic Power Transfer®.

Is passivation a coating?

Passivation is the process of treating or coating a metal in order to reduce the chemical reactivity of its surface. In stainless steel, passivation means removing the free iron from the surface of the metal using an acid solution to prevent rust.

What do you mean by passivation?

What is Passivation? Passivation is a chemical treatment for stainless steel and other alloys that enhances the ability of the treated surfaces to resist corrosion. There are many benefits of passivated equipment and systems: Passivation removes surface contamination.

What causes weld discoloration?

As the surface of the heated steel meets the atmosphere, it reacts with the elements in the air and oxidizes. On stainless steel, for example, any color in the weld or HAZ shows that an oxide layer has formed, which can affect corrosion resistance. The darker the color is, the thicker the oxidization.

What is a TIG Brush used for?

What is TIG Brush® technology? The TIG Brush® Stainless Steel Weld Cleaning System is an easy-to-use, portable kit which cleans stainless steel welds and restores stainless steel surfaces quickly, safely efficiently and cost-effectively.

Can welding cause stainless steel to rust?

“Stainless does not react well to a lot of heat,” he said, “so when you’re welding thin material, even TIG welding, you get a lot of bluing and discoloration of the stainless. [Welding] has burned off a layer of chromium oxide, the element that prevents stainless steel from rusting.”

What kind of passivation solution do you use for stainless steel?

After removing organic and metallic residues, the parts are placed into the appropriate passivation solution. Although there are many variations of passivating solutions, the overwhelming choice is still the nitric-acid-based solutions.

What’s the best way to use K-2 passivation?

Wipe S.S. surface with cotton cloth or pressurized spray for 2 – 5 min. or soak small parts for 10 min. Wash with water properly. Spray or Dip in K-2 passivation or K-2 Biopassive & leave it for 15 – 25 minutes. Then, rinse with water thoroughly.

What are the variables in the passivation process?

Although alternative solutions containing citric acid and other types of proprietary chemistry are available, they have not been as widely accepted commercially as nitric-acid-based solutions. The three major variables that must be considered and controlled for the passivation process selection are time, temperature and concentration.

Which is the best test for Chemical passivation?

Verification tests, including copper sulfate immersion, and accelerated corrosion tests, such as salt spray, high humidity and water immersion, undisputedly confirm the effectiveness of chemical passivation. Advanced material engineers in aerospace, electronics, medical and similar high-tech industries have used chemical passivation for years.