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Mild steel contamination of 316

We have had some 316 SS railings installed on a site adjacent to the sea. These railings were unfortunately cleaned using 'wire wool' and have become contaminated with rust blemishes, etc... We have subsequently had the 316 SS cleaned on numerous occasions but the blemishes keep coming back. Is there anything apart from replacing the railings which can be done to prevent this reoccurring.

Simon Jackson
Developer - Poole, Dorset, UK
2004

I have seen this exact problem before and have had some success passivating the SST on-site with a proprietary citric acid type solution. One of the contributors to this site may have a product suitable for your needs.

Bill Grayson
- San Jose, California
2004

Have them passivated or electropolished and they will be fine.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2004

We see this problem quite often. It can be corrected pretty well by using the right citric product in the field. Of course, if there is very bad pitting that has occurred it may take some effort.

Lee Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois

2004

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