Stainless Steel Passivation, Electropolishing & Pickling

Stainless steel passivation is a chemical cleaning treatment that uses a mild oxidant intended to remove free iron and other foreign matter from the surface layer of stainless steel parts, for the purpose of improving corrosion resistance by enhancing the formation and structure of the material's naturally forming corrosion-resistant passive layer. When stainless steel has been chosen for a specific environment, and it still rusts, then something has likely affected the surface of the material. Real-world fabrication, welding, and handling of stainless steel components will leave surface contaminants. These contaminants, including weld oxides and embedded particles, hinder stainless steel’s natural ability to resist corrosion. Pickling and/or Passivation can remove these surface contaminants, and allow the material to perform as it is engineered. 

Harrison Electropolishing has performed stainless steel passivation services with excellent results since 1980. We have the capacity to passivate stainless steel components of all sizes at our facility or a job site anywhere in the world. We can perform passivation treatments with nitric acid or citric acid. Harrison Electropolishing will perform chemical passivation treatments in compliance with ASTM specifications or your industry or company-specific chemical passivation standard.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Passivation

The presence of exogenous surface contaminants may disrupt the formation of stainless steel's naturally corrosion-resistant surface layer. Surface contaminants, including grease, dirt, iron, and other metallic particles are inherent to the metal fabrication process. The chemical passivation process will improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel parts and improve the part's surface finish. During a stainless steel passivation treatment, foreign contaminants are removed from the surface which promotes the formation of a chromium-rich corrosion-resistant layer that reduces the risk of product contamination in the future and extends the life of your stainless steel parts. 

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Stainless Steel Passivation Services

Stainless Steel Passivation Applications

Harrison is a leader in stainless steel passivation for the following industries and applications: