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An American National Standard
Designation: A 967 – 01

Standard Specification for

Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 967; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers several different types of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
chemical passivation treatments for stainless steel parts. It A 380 Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Depassivation
includes recommendations and precautions for descaling, of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems2
cleaning, and passivation of stainless steel parts. It includes B 117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus3
several alternative tests, with acceptance criteria, for confirma- B 254 Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on
tion of effectiveness of such treatments for stainless steel parts. Stainless Steel4
1.2 Practices for the mechanical and chemical treatments of 2.2 Federal Specification:
stainless steel surfaces are discussed more thoroughly in QQ-P-35C Passivation Treatments for Corrosion-Resistant
Practice A 380. Steels5
1.3 Several alternative chemical treatments are defined for
passivation of stainless steel parts. Appendix X1 gives some 3. Terminology
nonmandatory information and provides some general guide- 3.1 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard—It is

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lines regarding the selection of passivation treatment appropri-
ate to particular grades of stainless steel but makes no
necessary to define which of the several commonly used
definitions of the term passivation will be used in this
recommendations regarding the suitability of any grade, treat- specification. (See Discussion.)
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ment, and acceptance criteria for any particular application or
class of applications.
3.1.1 Discussion—Stainless steels are autopassivating in the
sense that the protective passive film is formed spontaneously

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1.4 The tests in this specification are intended to confirm the
effectiveness of passivation, particularly with regard to the
on exposure to air or moisture. The presence of exogenous
surface contamination, including dirt, grease, free iron from
removal of free iron and other exogenous matter. These tests contact with steel tooling, and so forth, may interfere with the
include the following practices: formation of the passive film. The cleaning of these contami-
1.4.1 Practice A—Water Immersion Test, ASTM A967-01
nants from the stainless steel surface will facilitate the spon-
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1.4.2 Practice B—High Humidity Test, taneous passivation by allowing the oxygen uniform access to
1.4.3 Practice C—Salt Spray Test, the surface. The passive film may be augmented by chemical
1.4.4 Practice D—Copper Sulfate Test, treatments that provide an oxidizing environment for the
1.4.5 Practice E—Potassium Ferricyanide–Nitric Acid Test, stainless steel surface.
and 3.1.1.1 In this specification, passivation, unless otherwise
1.4.6 Practice F—Free Iron Test. specified, is defined as the chemical treatment of a stainless
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded steel with a mild oxidant, such as a nitric acid solution, for the
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for purpose of the removal of free iron or other foreign matter, but
information only. which is generally not effective in removal of heat tint or oxide
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the scale on stainless steel. In the case of stainless steels with
test method portions, Sections 14 through 18 of this specifica- additions of sulfur for the purpose of improved machinability,
tion: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety passivation may also include the removal of sulfides from the
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility surface of the metal for the purpose of maximizing corrosion
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and resistance.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory 3.1.1.2 The formation of the protective passive film on a
limitations prior to use. stainless steel, also called passivation in a more general

1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
3
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.02.
4
A01.14 on Methods of Corrosion Testing. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.05.
5
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published December 2001. Originally Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
published as A 967 – 96. Last previoius edition A 967 – 99. Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 967
context, will occur spontaneously in air or other oxygen- 5. Materials and Preparation for Passivation Treatments
containing environment when the stainless steel surface is free 5.1 The passivation treatments shall be of one or more of the
of oxide scale and exogenous matter. following types. The effectiveness of a particular treatment for
3.1.1.3 Chemical treatments, such as sodium dichromate a particular grade of stainless steel in a particular application is
solutions, may facilitate the more rapid formation of the demonstrated by meeting the specified testing requirements:
passive film on a stainless steel surface already free of scale or 5.1.1 Treatments in nitric acid,
foreign matter. Such treatments, also sometimes called passi- 5.1.2 Treatments in citric acid,
vation in common usage, are designated as post-cleaning 5.1.3 Other chemical treatments, including electrochemical
treatments in this specification in order to distinguish them treatments,
from chemical treatments capable of removing free iron from 5.1.4 Neutralization, and
stainless steels. 5.1.5 Post-cleaning treatments.
3.1.1.4 The chemical treatments capable of removing heat 5.2 Materials:
tint or oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of dissolving 5.2.1 The chemicals used for passivation treatments shall
the stainless steel itself, typically called pickling, are substan- produce passivated surfaces that meet the requirements of one
tially more aggressive than treatments used for passivation, as or more of the tests of this specification. Attention shall be
defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of stainless steel that has been given to maintaining adequate volume, concentration, purity,
pickled is free of scale, free iron, and exogenous foreign and temperature control appropriate to the size and amount of
matter, and does not require a separate treatment for passiva- stainless steel to be treated.
tion as defined in 3.1.1.1. The passivation process defined in 5.2.2 The processor shall maintain a record with regard to
3.1.1.2 will occur without further chemical treatment but may concentration and temperature of the passivation solution
be augmented and improved by the post-cleaning treatments sufficient to demonstrate that the specified passivation condi-
defined in 3.1.1.3. tions were maintained for each lot of stainless steel parts
3.1.1.5 The chemical treatments capable of removing heat processed. Such records shall be available for inspection when
specified in the purchase order. The processor is not required to
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tint or oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of dissolving
the stainless steel itself, typically called pickling, are substan- reveal the precise composition of proprietary chemical mix-
tially more aggressive than treatments used for passivation, as tures but shall maintain a unique identification of the mixture

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defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of stainless steel that has been
pickled is free of scale, free iron, and exogenous foreign
that will ensure its accurate representation for subsequent use.
5.2.3 The processor shall be responsible for the safe dis-
posal of all material generated by this process.
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matter, and does not require a separate treatment for passiva-
tion as defined in 3.1.1.1. The passivation process defined in
3.1.1.2 will occur without further chemical treatment, but may
5.3
5.3.1
Preparation for Passivation Treatments:
The pretreatment methods and procedures used prior
be augmented and improved by the post-cleaning treatments to the passivation treatment, including mechanical and chemi-
defined in 3.1.1.3. ASTM A967-01
cal methods, singly or in combination, for descaling and
pickling, shall be in accordance with Practice A 380. When
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3.1.1.6 Electrochemical treatments, including electropick-
electrochemical cleaning is required, it shall be performed in
ling and electropolishing capable of removing heat tint or oxide
accordance with Practice B 254.
scale from stainless steel and capable of dissolving the stainless
5.3.2 The resulting pretreated surface shall be substantially
steel itself, are substantially more aggressive than treatments
free of oil, grease, rust, scale, and other foreign matter.
used for passivation, as defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of
5.3.3 When the final pretreatment of a part includes pickling
stainless steel resulting from these treatments is free of scale,
of the entire surface of the part, no further passivation
free iron, and exogenous foreign matter, and does not require a
treatment is required prior to testing of the surface unless
separate treatment for passivation as defined in 3.1.1.1. The
specified by the purchaser.
passivation process defined in 3.1.1.2 will occur without
further chemical treatment, but may be augmented and im- 6. Treatments in Nitric Acid Solutions
proved by the post-cleaning treatments defined in 3.1.1.3.
Statements regarding chemical treatments, unless otherwise 6.1 Passivation Treatment:
specified, are taken to include electrochemical treatments. 6.1.1 Stainless steel parts shall be treated in one of the
following aqueous solutions and maintained within the speci-
4. Ordering Information fied temperature range for the specified time.
6.1.1.1 Nitric 1—The solution shall contain 20 to 25 volume
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify a test percent of nitric acid and 2.5 + 0.5 weight percent of sodium
practice appropriate to any particular material and application. dichromate. The parts shall be immersed for a minimum of 20
This specification was written for the purpose of providing an min at a temperature in the range from 120 to 130°F (49 to
alternative to United States Federal Specification QQ-P-35C. 54°C).
Determination of the suitability of this specification for that 6.1.1.2 Nitric 2—The solution shall contain 20 to 45 volume
purpose is the responsibility of the purchaser. percent of nitric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a
4.2 Unless specified by the purchaser, the chemical treat- minimum of 30 min at a temperature in the range from 70 to
ment applied to the stainless steel parts shall be selected by the 90°F (21 to 32°C).
seller from among the listed passivation treatments. 6.1.1.3 Nitric 3—The solution shall contain 20 to 25 volume

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 A 967
percent nitric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a minimum exogenous matter from a stainless steel surface, including the
of 20 min at a temperature in the range from 120 to 140°F (49 removal of free iron, can be accomplished by different media,
to 60°C). with potential for benefits to be gained from use of proprietary
6.1.1.4 Nitric 4—The solution shall contain 45 to 55 volume skills and art, including proprietary passivation media. Such
percent of nitric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a treatments may include externally applying an electrical po-
minimum of 30 min at a temperature in the range from 120 to tential on the stainless steel parts, as in the case of electropol-
130°F (49 to 54°C). ishing. The suitability of such passivation treatments for use in
6.1.1.5 Nitric 5—Other combinations of temperature, time, meeting the requirements of this specification shall be deter-
and concentration of nitric acid, with or without other chemi- mined by the capability of the processed parts meeting the
cals, including accelerants, inhibitors, or proprietary solutions, specified test requirements.
capable of producing parts that pass the specified test require- 8.2 Stainless steel parts shall be treated in a specified
ments. aqueous solution, with or without externally applied electrical
6.2 Water Rinse—Immediately after removal from the pas- potential, and maintained within a specified temperature range
sivating solution the parts shall be thoroughly rinsed, using for a time sufficient for the processed parts to meet the
stagnant, countercurrent, or spray washes singly or in combi- specified test requirement.
nation, with or without a separate chemical treatment for 8.3 Water Rinse—Immediately after removal from the pas-
neutralization (see 9.1) of the passivation media, with a final sivating solution, the parts shall be thoroughly rinsed, using
rinse being carried out using water with a maximum total solids stagnant, countercurrent, or spray washes, singly or in combi-
content of 200 ppm. nation, with or without a separate chemical treatment for
neutralization of the passivation media (see 9.2), with a final
7. Treatments in Citric Acid rinse being carried out using water with a maximum total solids
7.1 Passivation Treatment: content of 200 ppm.
7.1.1 Stainless steel parts shall be treated in one of the 9. Neutralization
following aqueous solutions and maintained within the speci-
9.1 The chemical reactions of the passivating media on the
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fied temperature range for the specified time.
7.1.1.1 Citric 1—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight
percent of citric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a
surface
stainless
of the stainless steel shall be stopped by rinsing of the
steel part, with or without a separate neutralization
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minimum of 4 min at a temperature in the range from 140 to
160°F (60 to 71°C).
treatment.
9.2 The suitability of a neutralization procedure is deter-

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7.1.1.2 Citric 2—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight mined by the capability of the processed parts meeting the
percent of citric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a specified test requirements. (See Note 1.)
minimum of 10 min at a temperature in the range from 120 to NOTE 1—The selection of medium and procedures for a neutralization
140°F (49 to 60°C). depends of the chemistry of the passivation and on economic consider-
ASTM A967-01
7.1.1.3 Citric 3—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight ations. An example of a neutralizing treatment would be immersion of the
percent ofhttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6891b193-5b3d-408f-8f2a-a46df83ee7ca/astm-a967-01
citric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a part for a minimum of 30 min in a solution of 5 % NaOH at 160 to 180°F
(71 to 82°C), followed by a water rinse.
minimum of 20 min at a temperature in the range from 70 to
120°F (21 to 49°C). 10. Post-Cleaning Treatments
7.1.1.4 Citric 4—Other combinations of temperature, time, 10.1 Although the passive film characteristic of stainless
and concentration of citric acid, with or without other chemi- steel will form spontaneously in air or any other oxygen-
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or containing environment, the processor shall, when specified,
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the apply a chemical treatment that will accelerate the formation of
specified test requirements. the passive film on a chemically clean stainless steel surface.
7.1.1.5 Citric 5—Other combinations of temperature, time, An example of a medium that serves to accelerate the forma-
and concentrations of citric acid, with or without other chemi- tion of the passive film but does not contribute to the removal
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or of free iron from the stainless steel surface would be an
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the aqueous solution of sodium dichromate.
specified test requirements. Immersion bath to be controlled at 10.2 When specified, within one hour after the final water
a pH of 1.8–2.2. rinse as required in 6.2, 7.2, or 8.2, all ferritic and martensitic
7.2 Water Rinse—Immediately after removal from the pas- steel parts shall be immersed in an aqueous solution containing
sivating solution, the parts shall be thoroughly rinsed, using 4 to 6 weight percent of sodium dichromate at a temperature in
stagnant, countercurrent, or spray washes, singly or in combi- the range from 140 to 160°F (60 to 71°C) for a minimum of 30
nation, with or without a separate chemical treatment for min, followed by a rinse in accordance with 6.2, 7.2, or 8.2.
neutralization of the passivation media (see 9.2), with a final The parts shall then be thoroughly dried.
rinse being carried out using water with a maximum total solids 10.3 The purchaser may specify other post-cleaning treat-
content of 200 ppm. ments.
8. Treatments in Other Chemical Solutions, Including 11. Finish
Electrochemical Treatments 11.1 The passivated parts shall exhibit a chemically clean
8.1 It is recognized that the purpose of removal of all surface and shall, on visual inspection, show no etching,