Passivation treatment is an essential step after electrolytic polishing of stainless steel. Only in this way can the corrosion resistance and surface brightness of stainless steel be guaranteed and the service life of stainless steel be improved.
Author: Marisa
I. Why do we need to passivate stainless steel?
During processing, transportation or use, stainless steel will be corroded and damaged by the external environment and other factors, especially the surface, which is more susceptible to oxidation, wear, pollution and other factors. In order to enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, it is generally necessary to passivate the stainless steel after electropolishing to passivate the surface of the stainless steel and form a passivation film to prevent the surface from directly contacting the external medium, thereby increasing the service life of the stainless steel.
II. Methods for passivation of stainless steel after electropolishing
Passivation treatment is divided into chemical passivation and electrochemical passivation, among which electrochemical passivation has a better effect and is an ideal process method. Electrochemical passivation is to immerse the stainless steel parts in the electrolyte and perform electrolytic passivation treatment through an applied potential, so that a dense, flat and hard passivation film is formed on the surface of the stainless steel. This method can improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, and at the same time can further improve the brightness and texture of the stainless steel surface.
III. Is passivation treatment required after electropolishing?
Stainless steel must be passivated after electropolishing. Because electropolishing removes the roughness of the stainless steel surface, making the surface smooth and flat, and removes the surface oxide layer, improving the glossiness. But at the same time, it also exposes the metal surface, which is easy to be corroded, thus affecting the service life. Therefore, stainless steel must be passivated after electropolishing, so as to ensure the stability, corrosion resistance and surface brightness of stainless steel, and improve the service life of stainless steel.
IV. Conclusion
Passivation treatment is an indispensable link after stainless steel electrolytic polishing. Only in this way can the corrosion resistance and surface brightness of stainless steel be guaranteed, and the service life of stainless steel be improved. Electrochemical passivation is the most commonly used method, which can form a dense, flat, and hard passivation film, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, and at the same time further improving the texture of the stainless steel surface and maintaining its beauty.
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