About ISTECH

ISTECH provides technical inspections, upgrading and repair – treatments of stainless steel cargo tanks, piping systems, installations and scrubbers (new and in service) worldwide by means of mechanical polishing, (pit) corrosion removal, pickling and passivation for material types such as SUS 304, 316 (L) (LN) , 254SMO , duplex 2205 and all other SS material types. ISTECH Metal Finish BV is a professional company, with extensive knowledge and understanding of stainless steel passivation, since 30 years our customers (mainly ship owners) are fully satisfied with the results.

Quality objectives of stainless steel surface inspection, performance, quality control, supervision & troubleshooting:

A clean and passive surface finish is crucial to corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is protected from corrosion by its passive layer - a thin, impervious, invisible, surface layer that is primarily chromium oxide. The oxygen content of the atmosphere or of aerated aqueous solutions is normally sufficient to create and maintain ('self-heal') this passive layer. Unfortunately, surface defects and imperfections introduced during manufacturing or caused by aggressive chemical loadings may drastically disturb this 'self-healing' process and reduce resistance to several types of local corrosion.

Thus, as regards hygiene and corrosion, a final cleaning process is required to restore an acceptable surface quality.

Pickling and passivation of cargo tanks - heating coils - piping systems
Power buffing (grinding and polishing of cargo tanks (smooth surfaces)
Ferroxyl testing (evidence for (non) presence of ferrous contamination)
Oxilyser passivity testing (evidence of (non) passive oxide layer)
Surface roughness testing (evidence of (in) correct surface finish with
regards to roughness)
Inspection / quality control / supervision / troubleshooting

ISTECH specializes in technical inspections, upgrades, and repairs of stainless steel cargo tanks, piping systems, installations, and scrubbers, both new and in service, globally. Services include mechanical polishing, corrosion removal, pickling, and passivation for materials like SUS 304, 316 (L) (LN), 254SMO, duplex 2205, and other stainless steel types. For over 30 years, ISTECH Metal Finish BV has been a professional entity with profound knowledge and expertise in stainless steel passivation, consistently achieving results that satisfy our clientele.

The quality objectives of stainless steel surface inspection include performance, quality control, supervision, and troubleshooting. A clean and passive surface finish is essential for corrosion resistance. The passive layer of stainless steel, which is a thin, impervious, and invisible layer primarily made of chromium oxide, protects it from corrosion. Normally, the oxygen in the atmosphere or in aerated aqueous solutions is enough to form and sustain this passive layer. However, surface defects and imperfections, whether from manufacturing or aggressive chemicals, can significantly disrupt this self-healing process and lower the resistance to various forms of localized corrosion.

Therefore, concerning hygiene and corrosion, a final cleaning process is necessary to achieve an acceptable surface quality. This includes:

Pickling and passivation of cargo tanks, heating coils, and piping systems.
Power buffing for grinding and polishing cargo tanks to attain smooth surfaces.
Ferroxyl testing to detect the presence or absence of ferrous contamination.
Oxilyser passivity testing to verify the presence or absence of a passive oxide layer.
Surface roughness testing to confirm the proper surface finish in terms of roughness.
Inspection, quality control, supervision, and troubleshooting.

STAINLESS STEEL SURFACE BUFFING - GRINDING - POLISHING - WELDING
CLEANING OPERATIONS - PICKLING AND PASSIVATION

About ISTECH

Thus, as regards hygiene and corrosion, a final cleaning process is required to restore an acceptable surface quality.

We beat corrosion