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Passivating 400 series stainless steel
What is the proper procedure for passivating 400 series stainless steel?
We occasionally experience etching of the material. This is especially a problem with heat-treated 440 series stainless.
Keith Rosenblum
plating shop - St. Paul, Minnesota
1996
Hello, Keith. The February 1988 issue of
Metal Finishing magazine has an article by D.K. Verma entitled "Surface Preparation of AISI 400 Series Stainless Steel Components". I think it is well work getting and reading.
Of course, there are alternatives to nitric acid passivation, including electropolishing or citric acid passivation. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
1996
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