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Passivation-Widely Used Stainless Steel Production Process

Time:2016.02.11 Source: http://www.sssshangshang.com Author:
Stainless steel materials are widely used in our life and industry. Stainless steel must contain at least 10.5% of chromium. Reacted with the oxygen in the air, the element can form a composite surface layer of chromium oxide. It is invisible but strong enough to prevent the oxygen from further staining (rusted) surfaces. Higher levels of chromium and other alloying elements, such as nickel and molybdenum strengthen this surface layer to improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.

Though stainless steel pipes have good corrosion resistance, stainless steel pipes still need special treatment to improve the corrosion resistance. The treatment is called passivation. Passivation of stainless steel pipes is aimed to enhance the corrosion resistance of metal products. Here is a brief explanation of passivation of stainless steel pipes.

When the amount of chromium (in the iron matrix) is more than 10.5%, a complex chrome oxide forms instantaneously that prevents the further diffusion of oxygen into the surface and results in the passive nature of stainless steel and its resistance to oxidation (or corrosion). Chemical immersion 10% nitric acid plus 2% hydrofluoric acid bath will enhance the development of the passive oxide.

Passivation of stainless steel pipes have been widely used in the production process of stainless steel pipes. In addition to passivation, there are a lot of other production processes of stainless steel pipes widely applied in the industry.

For example, stainless steel pipes must prior to use be chemically treated. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel pipe is determined by a chromium-rich oxide film. As soon as this film has formed the material is designated as being passive. Also, bright annealing is another kind of widely used production process. For bright annealing to be effective, stainless steel tube surfaces must be cleaned and be free of impurities. The annealing atmosphere must be relatively free of oxygen. After bright annealing, the stainless steel pipes will have brighter surface.

Certainly, in addition to passivation of stainless steel pipe and bright annealing of pipes, stainless steel pipes have many other production processes. If you want to learn more about stainless steel manufacturing, you can go to Shangshang by visiting www.sssshangshang.com.