• Industrial Parts Washers
    ✛
    • Products
      ✛
      • Agitated Immersion Heated Parts Washer
      • Automatic Parts Washer System with Conveyor
      • Phosphating Lines
      • Oil Removal Systems
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • Pipe Washing Equipment
      • Machine Shop Parts Washer for True Oil
      • Automotive Parts Washer System
  • Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems
    ✛
    • Product Information
      ✛
      • How Clean is Clean?
      • How Do Ultrasonic Cleaners Work?
    • Products
      ✛
      • Ultrasonic Benchtop Parts Cleaner
      • Benchtop Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning Multi-Tank Systems
      • Ultrasonic Cleaning Consoles
      • Automated Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning Equipment Wash-Rinse-Dry
      • Large Ultrasonic Cleaner with Agitated Immersion
      • Immersible Ultrasonic Transducers
      • Vapor Degreasers
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • Machine Shop Parts Washer for Swiss and CNC Precision Parts
      • Applicable Articles
  • Passivation Equipment
    ✛
    • Product Information
      ✛
      • What is Passivation? How Does It Work?
      • Nitric vs. Citric Acid Passivation
      • CitriSurf – Citric Acid Passivation
    • Products
      ✛
      • Benchtop Ultrasonic Passivation Equipment
      • Passivation Wet Bench for Citric / Nitric Acid
      • Ultrasonic Automated Passivation Equipment
      • Agitated Immersion Multi-Tank Passivation Systems
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • Automated Ultrasonic Passivation System for Medical Device Parts
      • Cleanroom Space Saving Automated Passivation System
      • Heated Polypropylene Acid Passivation and Rinse Tanks
      • Applicable Articles
  • Electropolishing Equipment
    ✛
    • Product Information
      ✛
      • What is Electropolishing? How Does Electropolishing Work?
      • Electropolishing Cycle and Current Calculator
      • What is Dry Electropolishing? How Does It Work?
      • Passivation vs. Electropolishing
    • Products
      ✛
      • Table Top Electropolishing Equipment & Electropolishing Machines
      • Electropolishing Wet Benches
      • Large Scale Part Electropolishing Systems
      • Dry Electropolishing Machines
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • EP System – Open Top Wet Bench with Spray Rinse
  • Surface Finishing Systems
    ✛
    • Alodine Lines
      ✛
      • What is Alodine / Chem film / Chromate Conversion Coating?
      • Alodine Chem Film Tank Line
      • Hex Chrome Phase Out and Alternatives for Conversion Coating
    • Mass Finishing Machines
      ✛
      • Centrifugal Barrel Finishing Machines
      • Vibratory Bowl Polishers
    • Titanium Anodizing
      ✛
      • What is Titanium Anodizing?
      • Titanium Anodizing Equipment
  • Wet Benches
    ✛
    • Product Information
      ✛
      • What is a Fume Hood? How Do Fume Hoods Work?
    • Products
      ✛
      • Fume Hoods
      • Wet Benches for Semiconductor & FM4910 Applications
      • Wet Benches for Citric / Nitric Passivation of Stainless Steel and Titanium
      • Wet Benches for Electropolishing
      • Cascade Overflow Rinse Tanks
      • Quick Dump Rinse Tank
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • Semiconductor Chemical Processing Wet Bench and Fume Hood
  • Specialty & Custom Industrial Process Systems
    ✛
    • Automated Chemical Neutralization Tank Cart
    • Vapor and Dryfilm PTFE Coating Systems
    • Heated Hot Air Parts Dryer
    • Solvent Recovery Equipment
  • Solvents, Fluids & Chemistries for Precision Cleaning
    ✛
    • Product Information
      ✛
      • Why Use a Parts Cleaning Solvent?
      • Solvent Cleaning with 3M Novec Engineered Fluids
      • Thermal Management / Heat Transfer with 3M Fluorinert and Novec Fluids
    • Products
      ✛
      • 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, Fluorinert Liquids, Solvents & Chemicals
      • Aqueous Cleaning Chemistries
    • Solvent Phase-outs
      ✛
      • 3M™ Novec™ HFE Engineered Fluids Replacement and PFAS Phase Out
      • nPB Replacement
      • AK225 HCFC-225 Phase Out and Replacement with 3M Novec HFE Engineered Fluids
    • Case Studies
      ✛
      • 3M Novec 72DA 73DE Solvent Vapor Degreaser For Medical Device Instruments
  • Process Validation Templates
  • Equipment Financing

"*" indicates required fields

Contact us for info & free proposal!

More Info

Best Technology

Precision Cleaning, Passivation & Finishing Systems

Email UsEmail Us
Call Us612.392.2414
Contact an Expert
  • Products
    • Industrial Parts Washers
    • Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems
    • Passivation Equipment
    • Electropolishing Equipment
    • Surface Finishing Systems
    • Mass Finishing Machines
    • Wet Benches
    • Specialty & Custom Industrial Process Systems
    • Solvents, Fluids & Chemistries for Precision Cleaning
    • 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids, Chemicals, & Solvents
    • 3M™ Novec™ HFE Engineered Fluids Replacement and PFAS Phase Out
  • Industries
  • Articles
    • FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
    • Ultrasonic Cleaning
      • How Do Ultrasonic Cleaners Work?
    • Passivation
      • What is Passivation?
    • Electropolishing
      • What is Electropolishing?
    • Surface Finishing
      • What is Alodine / Chem film / Chromate Conversion Coating?
      • What is Titanium Anodizing?
    • Industrial Parts Washers
  • Case Studies
    • Industry Applications
    • Industrial Parts Washer Case Studies
    • Passivation Systems Case Studies
    • Part Cleaning Case Studies
    • Part Finishing Equipment Case Studies
    • Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Case Studies
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Contact an Expert
Request Info

Contact an expert on
Passivation Systems

More Info
home Best Technology / Passivation Equipment & Ultrasonic Passivation Systems for Stainless Steel with Nitric / Citric Acid

Passivation Equipment & Ultrasonic Passivation Systems for Stainless Steel with Nitric / Citric Acid

INDUSTRIES SERVED:

  • Medical Device
  • Aerospace
  • Electronics
  • Disc Drive
  • Automotive

Passivation equipment adds corrosion resistance to stainless steel and other metals through a chemical surface treatment. A typical passivation tank system includes separate tanks for washing, rinsing, passivating and drying parts. Quality passivation systems ensure repeatable, stable passivation of stainless steel that is easily validated to regulatory and industry requirements.

Best Technology is the industry’s leading supplier of passivation equipment and passivation systems for passivating stainless steel. Every passivation tank and piece of passivation equipment is designed around the customer-specific application and industry specifications.

Types of passivation systems include:

  • Benchtop ultrasonic passivation equipment
  • Wet bench passivation equipment
  • Automated passivation systems
  • Agitated immersion multi-tank passivation systems

Passivation Equipment for Every Application and Part Size

Best Technology offers a broad range of passivation equipment and tank sizes. Our passivation systems can handle a wide variety of chemistries, part sizes and throughput requirements.

Bench Top Ultrasonic Passivation Equipment

Tabletop MultiTank Ultrasonic Passivation System Our multi-tank ultrasonic passivation system combined with our hot air dryer make an effective passivation line by housing heated cleaning solution, cascading DI rinse water, citric or nitric acid passivation solution, and a final cascading DI rinse water with a final hot air drying step.

Ultrasonic Passivation Consoles

Ultrasonic Passivation Console / Wet Bench Our multi-tank ultrasonic passivation systems are also available as console units. With a console system, the bench is built-in. And the casters on our console systems make them portable, so they can be wheeled from one manufacturing cell to another if needed. Console systems allow for a wide range of custom sizes for a custom all-in-one passivation system tailored to the specific application.

Automated Ultrasonic Passivation Systems

Ultrasonic Automated Passivation Equipment Our automated ultrasonic nitric or citric acid passivation systems clean, rinse, passivate, rinse and dry by moving the fluids from heated storage tanks into a single ultrasonic process tank, rather than moving the parts basket through a series of tanks. Modular heated storage tanks complete the system for re-use of detergents and rinse water. This system configuration eliminates operator interaction, variability and exposure to chemicals. This unique system design can save up to 50% of passivation equipment cost vs. traditional multi-tank setups with overhead index automation/robotics.

Small Automated Ultrasonic Passivation Equipment

Small Automated Ultrasonic Passivation System Equipment The small 3.5 gallon benchtop automated ultrasonic passivation system (nitric or citric acid) is an ideal fit for passivating small stainless steel parts in cellular manufacturing environments such as medical device manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, machine shops and job shops.

Dual Processing Automated Passivation Systems

Dual Automated Passivation Equipment System

For manufacturing processes which require higher throughput or lower cycle times, the dual processing automated passivation system uses two processing units sharing the same storage tanks, which effectively doubles the system throughput. This expansion allows for growth in capacity without the purchase of a completely new passivation system.

Fume Hoods for Nitric Acid Passivation

Nitric Passivation Fume Hood / Wet Bench For wet chemical processing applications which require complex combinations of chemistries, heavy ventilation and containment, the passivation fume hood is used for nitric acid passivation of stainless steel, titanium and other metal parts. Typical construction materials include polypropylene, PVDF, PVC-C or others, depending on the chemical handling properties required for the application.

Agitated Immersion Passivation System

Agitated Immersion Multi-Tank Passivation System Agitated immersion passivation systems use a simple yet ruggedly designed, pneumatically-powered reciprocating platform to agitate parts in the water, solvent-based detergent or passivation acid. This action coupled with options like ultrasonics, high-flow filtration and pump turbulation, and oil removal systems ensure that all true oil and particulate are removed from not only the outside of your parts, but also the internal cavities and passages that other types of parts washing systems can’t properly clean. Once clean, the same process is performed with nitric or citric acid to passivate parts.

Common Applications and Specifications for Passivation Equipment

  • Nitric acid passivation type 2, 3, 4 ASTM A967
  • Citric acid passivation type 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 ASTM A967 using Stellar Solution’s CitriSurf®
  • Passivation Specifications: ASTM A380 – Practice for Cleaning, Descaling and Passivating of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment and Systems, ASTM A967 – Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts (based on US Defense Department standard QQ-P-35C) – one of the most common passivation specifications, AMS 2700 – Passivation of Corrosion Resistant Steels, AMS-QQ-P-35 – Passivation Treatments for Corrosion-Resistant Steel, ASTM F86 – Standard Practice for Surface Preparation and Marking of Metallic Surgical Implants
  • Cleaning and passivating of parts with lots of internal passageways like casting and cylinder blocks
  • Medical and aerospace parts which require critical cleaning requirements

Applicable Passivation Process Case Studies

  • Automated Ultrasonic Passivation System for Medical Device and General Parts
  • Manual Benchtop Ultrasonic Citric Acid Passivation System
  • Medical Device Guidewire Automated Ultrasonic Cleaning and Passivation System
  • Medical Device Cleaning and Passivating Equipment with a Cleanroom Space Constraint
  • Heated Polypropylene Acid Passivation and Rinse Tanks
  • Automated 6-Stage Wash-Rinse-Passivate-Rinse-Rinse-Dry For Aerospace Customer
  • Automated Pipe Cleaning and Acid Passivation System
  • Semi-Automated Inline Citric Passivation Solution with Data Tracking

Passivation Equipment & Process FAQs

  • 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 FAQ’s because once you pick one you still have several choices to make.  Choices like: which standard do I use? which method do I choose?

    There are two primary standards that address passivation. The SAE Aerospace “Passivation of Corrosion Resistant Steels” (AMS2700) and the ASTM “Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts” (A 967).

    Each allows for citric or nitric and each allows for several options within each citric and nitric.  So what’s the difference? Each standard is copyrighted (and protected) and has to be purchased from the publishing agency, so getting into a lot of detail is not allowed. But here’s a short version of the differences in the various methods:

    Concentration of the specific acid – each method varies based on how concentrated the citric or nitric acid is – and in the case of nitric if the nitric acid is used alone or with sodium dichromate.

    Temperature of the bath – again, each method specifies a temperature range that must be maintained for the duration of the passivation bath.

    Time – the length of time a part must remain within the passivation solution is spelled out as well.

    What seems complicated becomes really simple.  The standards spell out the concentration, the temperature and the time.   Each method simply varies one or more of those three items.

     

  • What’s involved in the passivation validation process?

    Within the medical device world there is a need to validate the passivation process.  But what does that mean, and how does that work?

    Validation is the process of insuring that the passivation process you use will reproduce repeatable and predictable results every time a batch of parts is run through the process. By validating the process you are able to forego subjecting every part to testing to prove that it is properly passivated.

    Typically you will hear the validation process broken down into three distinct parts: the IQ, the OQ and the PQ. Let’s look at each part.

    The IQ or Installation Qualification is the first part.  It is developed by describing the machine – what is it? what does it do? etc. It also looks at what the components on the machine are, gauges, switches, PLC, etc.  It provides a description of the machine and its parts – what is it and how does it work?

    The OQ or Operational Qualification is the second part. It essentially help you verify the IQ – does the machine operate as it is supposed to?  Do the components do what they are designed to do? etc. – does everything work as intended?

    The PQ or Process Qualification is the third part of the passivation test. If the IQ is the theory of how things SHOULD operate and the OQ is the practice of how things DO operate, then the PQ defines how CONSISTENTLY the machine operates.  You create a DOE (Design of Experiments) that tests the equipment at the top end and bottom end of allowable ranges and run parts to verify the results across the entire range of the variables. Now when the machine operates within the specified range of time, temperature and/or acidic concentration you know that your parts will meet the specs. That is the goal of the passivation validation process.

  • Why are automated systems easier to process validate than manual equipment?

    Process control and stability are critical aspects to regulated medical device and aerospace processes.  It is important to ensure that a process has input and output variable limits which are defined and fully tested during process design, Equipment Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Process Qualification (PQ) validation testing.  Setting up a proper DOE (Design of experiments) to test these limits is also important as the results of the DOE will give statistical confidence intervals of the limits.

    Being that operators and employees perform various process operations different no matter how instructed in work instructions, the variation of operators must also be captured during process qualification (PQ) validation.  An automated system typically eliminates many of the operator variability in the manufacturing process and this process “input” elimination also allows for tighter process output controls.

    For example, in our automated passivation system, the elimination of relying on an operator to move the parts basket from stage to stage ensures that the parts remain in the appropriate (wash, rinse, acid passivation, etc) solutions for the process defined times and in accordance with the proper ASTM A967, AMS2700, etc specification.  If a parts basket is immersed in the acid passivation solution too short or long duration, the passivation can likely fail and be outside specification limits.

  • What is passivation?

    Passivation is a non-electrolytic process typically using nitric or citric acid which removes free iron from a stainless steel surface. This forms an inert, protective oxide layer that in turn renders the stainless steel more rust-resistant due to lack of iron to react with atmosphere.

    During machining manufacturing processes, stainless steel parts may have imperfections from iron being embedded or smeared onto the surface from the machining tool steels. These free irons on the surface of the stainless steel need to be removed to prevent a corrosive reaction can occur between the two different metals.

    The passivation process chemically removes these free irons and forms a passive oxide “film” layer which further improves corrosion resistance. When exposed to air, the stainless steel undergoing passivation will form a chemically inactive or inert surface. This is one advantage of using citric acid or nitric acid for passivation.

    For more detailed information, please see our “What is Passivation?” page.

  • Why are two rinses often recommended after passivation?

    When parts are passivated with citric or nitric acid, the parts themselves, as well as the basket they are in, carry some of the acid  into the rinse tank. This “drag out” means that the rinse solution has to be constantly replaced or will simply become more and more acidic over time. The biggest issue is not that the parts will be rinsed off, but that when the parts are withdrawn from the rinse tank, they may have soil redeposited on them. Once the parts are dried this soil can cause spotting on the surface of the otherwise clean parts. A second rinse bath produces a much cleaner final product by rinsing off the soil that is redeposited during the first rinse.

    Often times, the second rinse tank includes a heated facility water inlet which constantly overflows the second rinse tank with small amounts of water to ensure water cleanliness.  The second rinse tank overflow is sent to rinse tank 1 and then rinse tank 1 overflows to drain.  This cascade overflow process ensures constant water quality over time no matter the amount of drag out on the parts and baskets.

  • 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 citric acid due to potential organic growth and molding issues. Today, modern formulations for biocides prevent organic growth in the solution. See our complete write up on the advancements of citric acid (specifically Citrisurf).

    These advancements in citric acid have allowed smaller manufacturers that lacked experience with chemical handling and processing to bring their passivation in-house. For a more detailed comparison, please see our “Nitric vs. Citric Acid Passivation” page.

  • What’s the difference in passivation and electropolishing?

    As a non-electrolytic process, passivation uses solutions like citric and nitric acids instead of an electrical current used in electropolishing to create a inert oxide layer / film and remove free iron and foreign matter from metal surfaces.

    Electropolishing, a non-mechanical interactive process, can be used on objects with complex geometries.  The electropolishing  process uses a combination of electrolytic chemicals and an electrical current to carefully eliminate imperfections and contaminants of metal part surfaces. This particular process is an alternative to abrasive fine polishing.

    Electropolishing can be used to polish, deburr, and smooth metal components whereby doing so also causes material removal to occur including the free irons on the surface of the part. Electropolishing would be the more appropriate approach when  aesthetics are necessary.  A smoother, polished surface can result from electropolishing.

    Passivation, on the other hand, does not change or brighten the surface appearance, and is not an effective method for improving surfaces that have been welded with oxide heat effect scale or heat treated.

No questions matching current filter

See also our page on Automated Passivation Systems FAQs.

Excellence in Passivation Equipment

From initial contact to our continued support and service, Best Technology offers over 30 years of industry expertise that can be leveraged to determine the best solution for your passivation system applications.

Contact a passivation equipment expert to learn more about how you can add a high-quality passivation system to your manufacturing workflow.

Latest News & Products from Best Technology

Semi-Automated Inline Citric Passivation Solution with Data Tracking

For one medical device manufacturer, the design of a citric passivation solution faced two major challenges: The manufacturing process required performing a water-break test after cleaning parts, before proceeding to passivation. This meant that they could not use a fully automated passivation solution. The system had to have data tracking for quality control purposes. Semi-Automated […]

Read More

  • Industrial Parts Washers
    • Products
      • Agitated Immersion Heated Parts Washer
      • Automatic Parts Washer System with Conveyor
      • Phosphating Lines
      • Oil Removal Systems
    • Case Studies
      • Pipe Washing Equipment
      • Machine Shop Parts Washer for True Oil
      • Automotive Parts Washer System
  • Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems
    • Product Information
      • How Clean is Clean?
      • How Do Ultrasonic Cleaners Work?
    • Products
      • Ultrasonic Benchtop Parts Cleaner
      • Benchtop Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning Multi-Tank Systems
      • Ultrasonic Cleaning Consoles
      • Automated Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning Equipment Wash-Rinse-Dry
      • Large Ultrasonic Cleaner with Agitated Immersion
      • Immersible Ultrasonic Transducers
      • Vapor Degreasers
    • Case Studies
      • Machine Shop Parts Washer for Swiss and CNC Precision Parts
      • Applicable Articles
  • Passivation Equipment
    • Product Information
      • What is Passivation? How Does It Work?
      • Nitric vs. Citric Acid Passivation
      • CitriSurf – Citric Acid Passivation
    • Products
      • Benchtop Ultrasonic Passivation Equipment
      • Passivation Wet Bench for Citric / Nitric Acid
      • Ultrasonic Automated Passivation Equipment
      • Agitated Immersion Multi-Tank Passivation Systems
    • Case Studies
      • Automated Ultrasonic Passivation System for Medical Device Parts
      • Cleanroom Space Saving Automated Passivation System
      • Heated Polypropylene Acid Passivation and Rinse Tanks
      • Applicable Articles
  • Electropolishing Equipment
    • Product Information
      • What is Electropolishing? How Does Electropolishing Work?
      • Electropolishing Cycle and Current Calculator
      • What is Dry Electropolishing? How Does It Work?
      • Passivation vs. Electropolishing
    • Products
      • Table Top Electropolishing Equipment & Electropolishing Machines
      • Electropolishing Wet Benches
      • Large Scale Part Electropolishing Systems
      • Dry Electropolishing Machines
    • Case Studies
      • EP System – Open Top Wet Bench with Spray Rinse
  • Surface Finishing Systems
    • Alodine Lines
      • What is Alodine / Chem film / Chromate Conversion Coating?
      • Alodine Chem Film Tank Line
      • Hex Chrome Phase Out and Alternatives for Conversion Coating
    • Mass Finishing Machines
      • Centrifugal Barrel Finishing Machines
      • Vibratory Bowl Polishers
    • Titanium Anodizing
      • What is Titanium Anodizing?
      • Titanium Anodizing Equipment
  • Wet Benches
    • Product Information
      • What is a Fume Hood? How Do Fume Hoods Work?
    • Products
      • Fume Hoods
      • Wet Benches for Semiconductor & FM4910 Applications
      • Wet Benches for Citric / Nitric Passivation of Stainless Steel and Titanium
      • Wet Benches for Electropolishing
      • Cascade Overflow Rinse Tanks
      • Quick Dump Rinse Tank
    • Case Studies
      • Semiconductor Chemical Processing Wet Bench and Fume Hood
  • Specialty & Custom Industrial Process Systems
    • Automated Chemical Neutralization Tank Cart
    • Vapor and Dryfilm PTFE Coating Systems
    • Heated Hot Air Parts Dryer
    • Solvent Recovery Equipment
  • Solvents, Fluids & Chemistries for Precision Cleaning
    • Product Information
      • Why Use a Parts Cleaning Solvent?
      • Solvent Cleaning with 3M Novec Engineered Fluids
      • Thermal Management / Heat Transfer with 3M Fluorinert and Novec Fluids
    • Products
      • 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, Fluorinert Liquids, Solvents & Chemicals
      • Aqueous Cleaning Chemistries
    • Solvent Phase-outs
      • 3M™ Novec™ HFE Engineered Fluids Replacement and PFAS Phase Out
      • nPB Replacement
      • AK225 HCFC-225 Phase Out and Replacement with 3M Novec HFE Engineered Fluids
    • Case Studies
      • 3M Novec 72DA 73DE Solvent Vapor Degreaser For Medical Device Instruments
  • Process Validation Templates
  • Equipment Financing

Best Technology Inc.

14040 23rd Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55447
Ph: 612.392.2414
Sales@BestTechnologyInc.com

Quick Links

  • Product Line Card
  • Case Studies
  • Site Map
  • Equipment Financing
  • Contact Us

Products

  • Industrial Parts Washers
  • Precision Cleaning Systems
  • Passivation Equipment
  • Electropolishing Equipment
  • Surface Finishing Systems
  • Wet Benches

Industries Served

  • Medical Device
  • Aerospace
  • Electronics
  • Automotive

Copyright © 2023 · Best Technology Inc.