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-----Passivation of stainless steel hypotubes
My company currently uses passivation on our hypotubes*. We use a 4 second rinse and a 20 minute bath in 20% nitric acid. The theory is that this will remove tramp metals, cutting oils and possibly leave a stable oxidized layer on the inner surface of the stainless steel hypo tube. We really are not sure if using the nitric acid is really doing anything.
What I would like to know is how effective is passivation, is there any standards dealing with the process, and why it is done.
If you can help me I would appreciate a reply
* -- a hypotube is made in the same manner as a hypodermic needle but it's used in a catheter, with saline being the only fluid in contact with the inner surface.
- Canada
1996
1996
You have explained passivation quite well, Martin, except with regard to "cutting oils" -- passivation is not a substitute for cleaning; rather the parts need to be well cleaned before passivation.
Yes, it works. However, quoting the ASM
Metals Handbook, "In most natural environments, stainless steels will remain in a passive state . . . Change to an active state occurs only where chloride concentrations are high, as in seawater . . ." So, perhaps with saline solution it doesn't actually achieve much, but it is a very accepted and generally useful practice for the removal of tramp iron from the surface, and probably should be continued.
I would suggest that you get a copy of
ASTM A380
. However, there probably are additional ASTM or other specs related specifically to your product line; for example, I know that there are specific specs for surgical implants (ASTM F86, for example), so I presume that there probably are others that are applicable to you.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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