Passivation - Getting the properties you want & need

Many machine shops, purchasing agents, and engineers are unfamiliar with the relationship between corrosion-resistant (stainless) steel and chemical passivation. Advanced materials engineers in aerospace, electronics, medical, similar high-tech industries have utilized chemical passivation for many years. Their applications demand the maximum performance from components manufactured from corrosion-resistant steel, and they realize that chemical passivation is one of the most effective methods of achieving the desired results. This paper explains what passivation is and how it is performed, along with the testing to validate it's effectiveness. It also explains the different variables to be considered and controlled during the passivation process, as well as the importance of using the correct equipment during processing. A few key items to avoid during the manufacturing and / or thermal processing are presented.