For over fifty years Fotofab has been an industry leader in high precision metal fabrication services. This includes passivation.
Passivation is a process in which a stainless steel part is made "passive," or less susceptible to corrosion caused by the environments of its application. To achieve this, free iron is removed from the surface of a metal using acid.
After the passivation process, other components of the alloy (often chromium and nickel) are left behind as a surface layer over the underlying steel.
Upon exposure to air, a spontaneous chemical reaction occurs which creates an oxide layer that protects the rest of the metal from corrosion.
Benefits of passivation include:
- Improved Corrosion Resistance Without Plating
- Superior Surface Cleanliness
- Eliminating Iron Contamination
- No Discoloration
- No Dimensional Change
- Repairing Damage to the Naturally-Occurring Chromium Oxide Layer
- More Environmentally Friendly
Occasionally passivation needs to be performed again because the corrosion-resistant surface can become damaged through friction, heat, or exposure to chemicals. When this happens, the iron is exposed and the item is once again subject to rusting.
In both home and commercial settings, exposure to things like cleaning solutions, bleach, or salt (oceanic environments) will contribute to the need for regular passivation of stainless steel. Industries in which passivation is particularly useful include:
- Aerospace
- Construction
- Medical
- Military & Defense
- Marine
- Food & Beverage
At Fotofab we work exclusively to the specifications of our customers' blueprints. This allows us to customize each metal part to fit specific needs. The parts we use are sourced and manufactured in the USA. Please contact us today to find out more.