What Is the Passivation Process?

The passivation process is a method of improving the corrosion resistance of stainless steel parts by removing ferrous contaminants like free iron from their surface, restoring them to their original corrosion specifications.

To passivate stainless steel parts, they must be submerged in a chemical solution of citric acid or nitric acid for a certain period of time and at a certain temperature. This removes foreign matter like free iron from the surface, but does not remove the heat tint or oxide scale that may be left behind by welding or heat treating. The passivation process improves corrosion resistance and leaves a clean finish, but ultimately does not change a part’s appearance nor make it visibly brighter.

By comparison, electropolishing removes burrs, heat tint and oxide scale and makes parts made from a wider variety of stainless steel and other metal alloys visibly brighter.

While you can passivate stainless steel to improve its corrosion resistance, not all grades are suited for this process, and some parts may require additional cleaning operations beforehand.

Contact us to learn more about the passivation process

quote
Request a QuoteDiscover the Able Electropolishing Difference »
sample
Try Electropolishing for FreeSend Us Your Part to Process for Free »

Electropolishing Blog

What is High-Quality Electropolishing?

Read our guide to understand why so many of the world’s best-known manufacturers, including Boeing, SpaceX, Tesla, and Volvo, trust Able to electropolish their metal parts.

In-house Vs. Outsourcing Electropolishing Considerations

From unexpected costs to regulatory compliance and safety hazards, in-house electropolishing can pose significant challenges and risks.

How to Specify Electropolishing

Electropolishing is used to improve surface finish and enhance corrosion resistance, enabling critical metal parts to perform better and last longer.

Electropolishing for Finishing Rescue Device Parts

When a marine and rescue hardware manufacturer started developing parts for rescue harnesses in 2018, they knew they needed to find a metal finishing partner with uncompromising standards and no tolerance for error: lives, literally, hang on the line.