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W W W . B A L T I M O R E A I R C O I L . C O M . A U
M A R 2 1 0 - 2
Corrosion Protection
Chemical Treatment Requirements
Passivation
Long Term Care of Stainless Steel
BAC’s Manufacturing Process
Jobsite Considerations
Recommened Cleaning Procedure
Long Term Care of Stainless Steel
When the percentage of chromium in steel exceeds 10.5%, it is called
stainless steel. The chromium in the steel reacts with the oxygen in the
air to form a chromium-oxide surface layer, also called the passivation
layer that provides the corrosion resistance in stainless steel.
BAC’s Manufacturing Process
BAC takes precautions to prevent cross-contamination, processing
galvanized and stainless steel parts separately. Also, stainless steel
brushes are used to clean welds on stainless parts and care is taken to
avoid scratching parts during processing. Organic cleaners are used to
clean the nished product prior to shipping.
Jobsite Considerations
While stainless steel itself does not rust so long as the chromium-oxide
surface layer is intact, it is not immune to contamination from its
surroundings. Some common sources of surface contamination are:
• Dirt and soil
• Shop oil or grease that may carry other contaminants such as
metal chips
• Machining or welding galvanized steel at the jobsite may cause
debris to impinge itself into the stainless steel
These contaminants can deposit on the surface and scratch the
passivation layer or prevent it from re-forming. They can also get
trapped underneath the passivation layer and reduce corrosion resistance.
NOTE: Long term care of stainless
steel information reprinted with
permission from “The Care and
Cleaning of Stainless Steel”;
Specialty Steel Industry of North
America; http://www.ssina.com
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