Brite® Passivation Service for Stainless Steel

Don’t just passivate… Brite® passivate!

Passivation is routinely specified on millions of tons of stainless steel annually. As a chemical process that removes free iron and creates a chromium rich surface, passivation is now found to be inferior to other more effective techniques.

Since 1954, we have applied our unique processes to improve corrosion resistance on a wide range of metals including the full range of stainless steels, Inconel, Hastelloy and many other alloys. In hundreds of salt spray and other corrosion tests, our process has provided up to 30 times the corrosion protection of passivation alone.

By dissolving surface metal, we remove deeply imbedded contamination, reduce surface area and remove the false or amorphous layer that is produced by grinding, machining, stamping or lapping metal. Less imbedded contamination, less retained surface moisture means less chance for corrosion to begin.

Medical parts better resist harsh autoclave chemicals and temperatures. Automotive parts stay clean and bright after years of exposure to road salt. Food, Pharmaceutical and Biotech equipment hold up longer with CIP (Clean in Place) processes. Marine hardware will retain their smooth finish after long exposures to salt water. Components used in Semiconductor applications resist harsh chemicals when Brite passivated.

Our process is approved under ASTM B 912-02, and is approved by many of America’s largest industrial companies. We have developed bulk processes that provide economical treatment to millions of parts annually.

Of course, we provide chemical passivation as well. Either way, put Able to the test. Send us your sample part and we’ll process it for your evaluation and testing.

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FAQ Able Brite® Passivation

What is the key difference between passivation with nitric or citric acid and Brite® passivation?

Passivation is a chemical treatment that slightly alters the very top surface chemistry of metal. In most cases, you cannot tell by visual inspection whether a part has been passivated. Brite® passivation carefully dissolves a small amount of surface metal, and removes discoloration, oxides and imbedded contamination. The metal part is cleaner and brighter as a result, hence the term Brite® passivation.

Is Brite® passivation an etch or bright dip?

Brite passivation is not a chemical etching or bright dip process, and does not cause hydrogen embrittlement. Chemical etching and bright dip processes attack surface metal with aggressive chemicals. While they remove surface metal, there is far less control and potential problems with hydrogen embrittlement. Brite® passivation uses a combination of electrical current and chemicals to precisely control the metal removal without surface damage. The chemicals used in Brite® passivation are non-reactive to most metals unless electricity is applied.

What is the difference between Brite® passivation and electropolishing?

In most cases, Brite® passivation is a light electropolish.We remove less material than other electropolishing applications, and do so in a bulk process as well as rack. In many cases, Brite® passivation provides superior finish and corrosion resistance to passivated parts at a competitive price.

Why not just call the process Light Electropolish?

We named the process Brite® passivation to call attention to the corrosion enhancement aspects of our proprietary processes. While we apply our technologies to deburr, size and smooth metal on over 100 alloys, this allows us to show engineers that it is superior to passivation, a process used on millions of tons of stainless steels each year.

Is this process proven or approved by any major customers/agencies?

We have applied this process since 1954 for many Fortune 500 companies in the Food, Automotive, Semiconductor, Aerospace and Medical fields. Most of these companies have their own specifications, but ASTM B 912-02 calls out for electropolishing as an approved substitute for passivation.

Does Able provide standard passivation as well as Brite® passivation?

Yes. We provide standard passivation.

How do I sample your process?

Start by calling our experts at 888-868-2900. They can guide you either toward our bulk or rack processes. In general, the bulk process needs about 250 sample parts, with the rack process requiring only 12-24 pieces.

Contact us to learn more about brite passivation

Learn About the Electropolishing Difference


Electropolishing 101 Webinar

Electropolishing 101
Lunch & Learn Webinar

Learn everything you need to know about electropolishing as part of a private, interactive webinar. Let us know your availability and your part issues and our electropolishing experts can get you on our schedule. Lunch will be provided!

Schedule Your Private Webinar
Try Electropolishing for Free: Sample Request

Try Electropolishing for Free:
Sample Request

Send us your parts/prototypes and we’ll electropolish them for free – we’ll even pay for the shipping! Samples are processed in 24-48 hours.

Request a Sample

Medical Device Manufacturing

Medical Device Manufacturing

From implantable devices to surgical instruments, electropolishing is a single-process treatment that results in biocompatible, safe and ultra clean parts.

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Aerospace

Aerospace

We offer aerospace vendors and original equipment manufacturers our signature metal finishing services to increase fatigue-resistance for their metal parts, rendering them capable of withstanding the stress and corrosion that comes with long-term use.

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Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical

Our strict adherence to industry standards ensures that pharmaceutical components are electropolished in accordance with ASTM B912 and ASME BPE specifications. These products are clean and smooth, corrosion resistant and contaminant free.

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Automotive

Automotive

Corrosion resistance and microfinish improvement are essential for critical automotive parts, making electropolishing an increasingly beneficial option for automakers.

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Consumer Appliance

Consumer Appliance

Our metal finishing services help increase corrosion resistance for these parts, and by removing the outermost layer of metal withelectropolishing the durability and longevity of these appliance components is increased.

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Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Electropolishing materials for this industry eliminates the buildup of bacterial biofilms, as well as keeping the equipment free of contaminants like Salmonella. Electropolishing delivers the level of sanitation required by a number of regulatory agencies.

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Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Hydraulics & Pneumatics

From robotics to mobile equipment, the uses of electropolishing in the hydraulics and pneumatics industry are many. By helping prevent premature part failure, electropolishing reduces downtime and increases the life cycle of these components.

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Electronics

Electronics

Improving conductivity and performance is just one benefit electropolishing offers for electronics parts. The surface finish is improved by as much as 50%, removing imperfections from the material without material removal.

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