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.

Stainless Steel Surface Treatment needs to be carried out to remove or clean:   

• Corrosion / Rust
• Ferrous Contamination  / Free Irons
• Light Discoloration
• Hydrocarbons
• Starting Pitting   
• Cargo Residue

Chemical cleaning with Nitric Acid in compliance with: 

• FOSFA Qualifications & Requirements 

Passivation is a chemical treatment with a specific acid formulation that removes free-iron or other surface contamination from the stainless steel while simultaneously promoting the formation of a passive chromium/nickel oxide layer to act as a barrier to further corrosion.

Stainless Steel Surface Treatment needs to be carried out to restore or to repair:

• Damaged passivation layers brinning back to  a thick uniform chromium oxide layer 
• Unstable passivity readings bringing back a stable passive chromium oxide layer 
• Stainless Steel Corrosion resistance interference by ferrous contamination / free irons