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Passivated vs Pickled

What is the difference between passivated and pickled?

Bob Ansary
- Clifton, New Jersey
2001

2001

Pickling refers to the acid etching of parts before the plating process. (The pickling chemical is usually hydrochloric acid) The purpose of pickling is to clean and etch the parts so that the plating will have a more pure surface that will lend itself to forming metallurgical bonds with the plating.

Passivation refers to the application of a conversion coating on a part right after plating. (The conversion coating is usually hexavalent chrome) The purpose of a conversion coating is to decrease the tendency of the plating to corrode and be used up quicker. A chromate delays white corrosion on zinc platings.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan

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