Passivating Fluids | McMaster-Carr

Filter by

Container Type

Form

For Removing

Specifications Met

Container Net Weight

Container Size

Material

Chemical

Concentration

REACH

RoHS

Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)

EAR99

DFARS Specialty Metals

Container Material

CAS Number

19 Products

Passivating Cleaners

Spray

Bottle

Image of Product. Front orientation. Passivating Cleaners. Jug.

Jug

Restore and maintain the surface layer on stainless steel that protects it from corrosion. Also known as passivating fluids, these cleaners are made from citric acid, which removes iron from the surface of stainless steel that has been damaged from machining, heat, or chemicals. This exposes the chromium in stainless steel and reacts with air to form a protective layer. These cleaners also remove dirt, discoloration, and minor corrosion. Unlike nitric acid and other passivating fluids, citric acid does not create dangerous fumes and is safe for use throughout your plant. These cleaners come ready-to-use, so you don’t have to mix them, but you can dilute them with water for 400-series stainless steel and other sensitive parts.

These cleaners meet SAE and ASTM international guidelines for passivating stainless steel. They also meet ASTM international guidelines for descaling and cleaning titanium and titanium alloys.

Liquids—Liquid cleaners are thinner than gel cleaners, making them ideal for submerging parts. When spot cleaning, however, they will drip down vertical surfaces.

Gels—Gel cleaners are thicker than liquid cleaners, so they cling to surfaces. Use them on vertical surfaces, weld joints, and other parts that can’t be submerged.

For Removing Dirt—Cleaners for removing dirt only are less acidic and won’t discolor 400-series stainless steel. Do not use them on parts that have rust.

For Removing Dirt and Rust—Cleaners for removing dirt and rust contain an additive that eliminates existing rust.

	Container
	Type	Size	Solution Type	Harshness	For Use On	Specs. Met		Each
Liquids







				For Removing Dirt and Rust

				Spray Bottle	22 fl. oz.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	000000


				Jug	1 gal.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	00000


				Gels







								For Removing Dirt and Rust

								Spray Bottle	22 fl. oz.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	00000


								Jug	1 gal.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	00000




										For Removing Dirt

										Spray Bottle	22 fl. oz.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	00000


										Jug	1 gal.	Water Based	Moderate	Stainless Steel	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B600, SAE AMS2700	0000000	00000

Citric Acid

Often used as an active ingredient in disinfectants and to restore damaged stainless steel surfaces. Also known as technical-grade chemicals, these industrial-grade chemicals are not suitable for food or medicinal use.

	Container
	Net Weight, lb.	Type	Material	Form	CAS No.		Each
Citric Acid—100%



		5	Pail	Plastic	Granule	77-92-9	00000000	000000


		25	Pail	Plastic	Granule	77-92-9	00000000	000000

Passivation Testers

Test stainless steel to see if it needs to be passivated or was properly passivated. These tests detect the presence of iron from fabrication processes, which can limit stainless steel's inherent ability to resist corrosion. Often used in aerospace, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries, they meet ASTM, aerospace, and military passivation standards.

To perform a test, squeeze the dropper to apply the solution to the surface of a part. Keep the surface wet for six minutes before rinsing and drying it off. Do not scrub the solution off. If iron is detected, the surface will appear copper in color. If no copper coloring appears, the surface is clear of contaminants and is properly passivated. These bottles include enough solution to perform hundreds of spot tests.

This test is often used on all 200 and 300 series stainless steels and some 400 series stainless steel alloys. However, it’s not recommended to use this solution on 400 series stainless steel with less than 16% chromium. These stainless steel alloys will typically cause a false failure of the test.

			Container
For Use On	Test Type	No. of Tests	Type	Size, fl. oz.	Includes	Specs. Met		Each
Stainless Steel	Analog	200	Bottle	2	Cloth, Copper-Sulfate Testing Solution, Cotton Swabs	ASTM A380, ASTM A967, ASTM B912, SAE AMS2700	0000000	000000

Nitric Acid

Also known as technical-grade chemicals, industrial-grade chemicals like nitric acid are not suitable for food or medicinal use.

Nitric acid is used for industrial and laboratory applications such as treating wood, pickling and passivating stainless steel, cleaning electronic components, and etching metals.

ACS Reagent Grade—ACS-reagent-grade nitric acid meets quality standards set by the American Chemical Society. ACS-reagent-grade chemicals are also known as Reagent material.

	Container
	Size	Type	Material	Form	CAS No.	Specs. Met		Each
0.3%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



		500 ml	Bottle	Plastic	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	000000


		4.27%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



				500 ml	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	00000


				10%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



						500 ml	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	00000


						20%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



								500 ml	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	00000


								50%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



										500 ml	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	0000000	00000


										1 L	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	000000
										2.5 L	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	—	00000000	000000


										70%, Light Viscosity (31 SSU)



												500 ml	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	ACS Reagent Grade	00000000	00000


												1 L	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	ACS Reagent Grade	00000000	000000
												2.5 L	Bottle	Glass	Liquid	7697-37-2	ACS Reagent Grade	00000000	000000