Benefits of Passivation for Stainless Steel & Metal Alloys

There are many benefits of passivation for stainless steel and metal alloys. When stainless steel is left to the elements or undergoes a manufacturing process, it is frequently left with some level of surface contamination, particularly in the form of iron particles.  If left in place, these particles can corrode over time, compromising the integrity of the material.  The stainless steel can be cleaned, but the cleaning process can also create hazards that can compromise its performance. 

One of the methods around this problem is passivation.  Many metals, including stainless steel, already have a thin oxide layer to make them more resistant, or “passive,” to corrosion.  Passivation increases the thickness of that layer to increase the level of protection against rust and corrosion on the material.

Stainless Steel Passivation

What are the Benefits of Passivation for Stainless Steel & Other Metal Alloys?

Stainless steel passivation, and passivation for other metals and metal alloys, offers a range of benefits beyond improved corrosion resistance for stainless steel components, including:

Remove Surface Contamination

  •  – The chemical cleaners and tools used to remove surface contamination can themselves inflict damage on the surface of stainless steel.  Passivation is able to remove surface contaminants at a molecular level without damaging the surface of the material.

Reduce the Risk of Contamination

  •  – If your stainless steel components are being used in a manufacturing process requiring high levels of purity, such as pharmaceuticals, then keeping those components clean is absolutely critical.  Passivation can help by removing other compounds aside from iron to keep your components highly clean. 

Save Money and Downtime

  •  – By regularly treating your stainless steel components through passivation, required system shutdowns can be both shorter and less frequent. And by preserving the integrity of your stainless steel components, unplanned system shutdowns are a reduced risk.  Your manufacturing facility will have increased uptime and reduced downtime, which means boosted revenue and reduced costs. 

Passivation can be a highly useful tool to keep your manufacturing system running smoothly.  Contact us today to learn more.

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