Equipment Needed to Start A Passivation Line

If you are planning to build a passivation process, there is more equipment needed than just the passivation system itself.  In this article we will assist our customers in acquiring the other necessary equipment for getting your passivation process up and running.

Passivation Equipment

Passivation equipment and systems are capable of wash, rinse, passivate, rinse and drying parts.  Below are some examples of passivation lines sold by Best Technology

Bench Top Ultrasonic Passivation Equipment

Automated Ultrasonic Passivation Systems

Citric / Nitric Acid Passivation Wet Bench for Stainless Steel & Titanium 

Automated Agitated Immersion Passivation System

Other Associated Process Equipment Needed for Passivation of Stainless Steel and Titanium

1. Purified water system – typically RO or DI Water – ensures a full rinse of parts to ensure no minerals and containments in water are left on parts prior to, during and after acid passivation tank/bath
2. Heated rinse water source – point of use or central to facility
3. Part fixturing equipment – holds parts in place during bath immersion but does not adversely affect contact surface during processing (scratches, abrasions, ultrasonic cavitation erosion, etc)

Test Equipment

1. Chemical titration kit – determines true concentration of acid and alkaline cleaner, pH meter – monitors the acidity or alkalinity (base) of the solutions, Hydrometer measures specific gravity of a solution to determine how much chemistry vs. water is in solution
2. Chemical maintenance logs – track titrations over time and correlate with any down stream passivation issues/failures
3. Copper sulfate test kit – most common test to determine if part passes passivation specification.  Other methods include high humidity chamber, salt spray, etc

Chemistry

1. Aqueous alkaline wash tank cleaner
   1. For parts with true oil contamination
      1. Oil splitting chemistry- oils float to surface of tank and are skimmed off with an oil skimmer / oil removal system
      2. Emulsification-based chemistry- suspends oils in chemistry
   2. For parts with water soluble coolant and fluid contamination
      1. Neutral pH chemistry for light soils
      2. Caustic based chemistry for heavy, hard to remove soils – common = sodium hydroxide based chemistries
2. Passivation Acid
   1. Nitric Acid- most common for years
   2. Citric Acid – commonly referred to as “Citrisurf” recent advancements have made use more reliable and much easier to handle than nitric

Venting

Passivation systems, especially those using nitric acid, will typically require ventilation, which can add significantly to the system installation cost. Since regulations vary widely from municipality to municipality and from state to state, Best Technology is not able to advise on the specific requirements for your local area. Customers are advised to contact local governing authorities to learn applicable local regulations, and to work with a local HVAC contractor for installation of any required ventilation.

In closing, the above is a generalized list of the passivation equipment necessary to start a passivation system line.  A complete list can be supplied by Best Technology after equipment purchase.

While it may seem overly complicated to some, Best Technology is able to simplify the process into simple steps to achieve a successfully passivated part. See our Services page for more information.

Best Technology can help you design your passivation process!