Pickling & Passivation
What is Pickling and Passivation?
Pickling is a controlled chemical reaction on the surface of the stainless steel item which effectively cleans the surface. After pickling and cleaning successfully a stainless item will passivate as it comes into contact with the air. After pickling a new chromium-oxide, passive film reforms.
How can we assist?
We have a facility that can clean large and small stainless-steel components. We immersion pickle items in a bath and maintain a standard by regularly testing, cleaning and adding chemicals to the bath.
We have suitable loading and unloading facilities for up to 1.5T loads on site (fork hoists & gantry).
Our Pickle bath sizes:
Large Pickle Bath:
- 10.5m long x 1.25m wide x 0.9m deep.
- We double dip items which have a depth >0.9m and up to 1.8 m
- Max. weight 900 kg load
Small Pickle Bath:
- 3.6m long x 1.2m wide x 1.0m deep
Benefits of Pickling and Passivation
- Provides a consistent matt finish across the item
- Surfaces not suitable for mechanical cleaning can be cleaned
- Helps protect from tea staining
- Quick & cost effective
- Able to clean inside where often mechanical cleaning cannot reach
- Chemically treats the heat affected zones after welding
- A new passive layer forms after the stainless part is removed from the pickle bath and cleaned with fresh water
- Removes most contaminants and iron from the surface
Before
After
