Passivation involves treating steel with a specialized chemical composition, resulting in the formation of a protective oxide film on its surface. This process is utilized to restore or enhance the protection of stainless steel either by immersing it in a container filled with a chemical solution or by applying it through spraying.
Stainless steel consists of an alloy featuring a layer of chromium oxide on its surface. Through usage or processing, micro-defects can form, damaging the protective layer. This degradation becomes more pronounced when using low-quality stainless steels or employing them improperly. Consequently, defects related to crevice, pitting, and galvanic corrosion in stainless steel can become more evident.
Passivation serves to eliminate surface contaminants and provides additional protection to the steel, which is particularly crucial when the component operates in aggressive environments.
