Passivation is a non-electrolytic process that enhances the corrosion resistance of stainless steel by removing free iron from its surface. Typically performed using nitric or citric acid, this treatment creates an inert, protective oxide layer. In metal finishing, “to passivate” means to perform this crucial process that prevents rust formation by eliminating reactive iron that […]
What is the best method of passivation?
Have you ever noticed that many day-to-day things seem to get divided into two opposing camps? Things like asking what’s the best computer quickly become the PC versus Mac debate. Phones? iPhone versus Android. So, passivation? Yup, nitric versus citric. There are real advantages to each nitric and citric passivation, but that is a topic for other […]
What’s the difference between nitric and citric passivation?
Both nitric acid and citric acid are effective in passivating many grades of stainless steel, and both methods are described in the industry standards ASTM A967 and AMS 2700. Citric acid passivation offers the following key differences. Compared to nitric acid passivation, citric acid passivation is: Newer More environmentally friendly Safer. In the past, some manufacturers avoided […]
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