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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 Stainless Steel4
parts. 2.2 Federal Specification:
1.2 Practices for the mechanical and chemical treatments of QQ-P-35C Passivation Treatments for Corrosion-Resistant
stainless steel surfaces are discussed more thoroughly in Steels5
Practice A 380.
1.3 Several alternative chemical treatments are defined for 3. Terminology
passivation of stainless steel parts. Appendix X1 gives some 3.1 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard—It is
nonmandatory information and provides some general guide-
lines regarding the selection of passivation treatm
several commonly used
ate to particular grades of stainless steel but makes no
iT e h S ta n d a r d s
ent ap propr i- ne ces sary t o defi ne which of the

definitions of the term passivation will be used in this

recommendations regarding the suitability of any grade, treat- specification. (See Discussion.)
( h t t p s : / / s t a nda r d s . i t e
ment, and acceptance criteria for a ny pa rt icu lar ap p li ca tio n or
h . a i)
Sta in les s steels are autopassivating in the
3.1 .1 Dis cu s si on —

class of applications.

Docu nt
sense that the protective passive film is formed spontaneously
1.4 The tests in this specification are intended to confirm on exposure to air or moisture. The presence of exogenous
the effectiveness of passivation, particularly with regard to the 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 Ana9n6t7s -f0ro1m the stainless steel surface will facilitate the spon-
1.4.2 Phrttapcsti:c//estBa—ndHairgdhs.Hiteuhm.iadi/itcyatTaelsotg, /standards/sist/6891bt1a9ne3o-u5sbp3adss-
i4v0at8iof-n8bfy2aa-llao4w6indgf8t3heeeo7xcyage/ansutmni-faor9m67a-c0ce1ss 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
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the oxide scale on stainless steel. In the case of stainless steels
test method portions, Sections 14 through 18 of this specifica- with additions of sulfur for the purpose of improved
tion: This standard does not purport to address all of the machinability, passivation may also include the removal of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the sulfides from the surface of the metal for the purpose of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish maximizing corrosion resistance.
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the 3.1.1.2 The formation of the protective passive film on a
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. stainless steel, also called passivation in a more general

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, 2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.02.
A01.14 on Methods of Corrosion Testing. 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.05.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published December 2001. Originally 5
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
published as A 967 – 96. Last previoius edition A 967 – 99.
1
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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context, will occur spontaneously in air or other oxygen-
containing environment when the stainless steel surface is free 5. Materials and Preparation for Passivation Treatments
of oxide scale and exogenous matter. 5.1 The passivation treatments shall be of one or more of
3.1.1.3 Chemical treatments, such as sodium dichromate the following types. The effectiveness of a particular treatment
solutions, may facilitate the more rapid formation of the for a particular grade of stainless steel in a particular
passive film on a stainless steel surface already free of scale or application is demonstrated by meeting the specified testing
foreign matter. Such treatments, also sometimes called passi- requirements:
vation in common usage, are designated as post-cleaning 5.1.1 Treatments in nitric acid,
treatments in this specification in order to distinguish them 5.1.2 Treatments in citric acid,
from chemical treatments capable of removing free iron from 5.1.3 Other chemical treatments, including electrochemical
stainless steels. treatments,
5.1.4 Neutralization, and
3.1.1.4 The chemical treatments capable of removing heat
5.1.5 Post-cleaning treatments.
tint or oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of
dissolving the stainless steel itself, typically called pickling, 5.2 Materials:
are substan- tially more aggressive than treatments used for 5.2.1 The chemicals used for passivation treatments shall
passivation, as defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of stainless steel produce passivated surfaces that meet the requirements of one
that has been pickled is free of scale, free iron, and exogenous or more of the tests of this specification. Attention shall be
foreign matter, and does not require a separate treatment for given to maintaining adequate volume, concentration, purity,
passiva- tion as defined in 3.1.1.1. The passivation process and temperature control appropriate to the size and amount of
defined in stainless steel to be treated.
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
tint or oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of specified in the purchase order. The processor is not required
dissolving
the stainless steel itself,
proprietary chemical mix- typically called pickling, ar e s ubsi T e h St a n d a r d s
to
tan- re ve al t he pre cis e c omposition of

tially more aggressive than treatments used for passivation, as tures but shall maintain a unique identification of the mixture

( h t t p s : / / s t an d a r
defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of sta in less s te el t ha t h a s be en th at wil l

d s . i t e h .a i )
e nsu re it s ac cu rate rep re sentation for subsequent use.
pickled is free of scale, free iron, and exogenous foreign 5.2.3 The processor shall be responsible for the safe dis-
pos al o f a ll m a teri a l g enerated
D o c u m en t P r e v i e w
matter, and does not require a separate treatm ent fo r p assi va-
by this process.
tion as defined in 3.1.1.1. The passivation process defined in 5.3 Preparation for Passivation Treatments:
3.1.1.2 will occur without further chemical treatment, but may 5.3.1 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. ASTMcaAl 9m6e7t-h0od1s, singly or in combination,p for ic kdescaling
li ng ,and
3.1.1.6 E h l t e t c p t sro:/ c /sh t e a m n i d c a a r l d t sre .i
sh a ll b e i n a c c o rd a n c e w it h Pr a c t ic e A 3 80 . W h en a te tm h. e a n i t / sc , at in a c lo lu g d /sin ta g nd el a e r c d tr so / p si i c sk t/ - 6891 b 1 9 3 -5
b 3 d -4 0 8 f -8 f 2 a - a 4 6 d f8 3 e e7 c a / a s tm -a 9 6 7 -0 1
ling and electropolishing capable of removing heat tint or alternative to United States Federal Specification QQ-P-35C.
oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of dissolving the Determination of the suitability of this specification for that purpose is
stainless steel itself, are substantially more aggressive than the responsibility of the purchaser.
treatments used for passivation, as defined in 3.1.1.1. The 4.2 Unless specified by the purchaser, the chemical treat- ment applied
surface of stainless steel resulting from these treatments is free to the stainless steel parts shall be selected by the seller from among the
of scale, free iron, and exogenous foreign matter, and does not listed passivation treatments.
require a separate treatment for passivation as defined in
3.1.1.1. The passivation process defined in 3.1.1.2 will occur
without further chemical treatment, but may be augmented and
im- proved by the post-cleaning treatments defined in 3.1.1.3.
Statements regarding chemical treatments, unless otherwise
specified, are taken to include electrochemical treatments.

4. Ordering Information
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify a test
practice appropriate to any particular material and application.
This specification was written for the purpose of providing an

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electrochemical cleaning is required, it shall be
performed in accordance with Practice B 254.
5.3.2 The resulting pretreated surface shall be
substantially free of oil, grease, rust, scale, and
other foreign matter.
5.3.3 When the final pretreatment of a part
includes pickling of the entire surface of the part,
no further passivation treatment is required prior to
testing of the surface unless specified by the
purchaser.

6. Treatments in Nitric Acid Solutions

6.1 Passivation Treatment:
6.1.1 Stainless steel parts shall be treated in one
of the following aqueous solutions and maintained
within the speci- fied temperature range for the
specified time.
6.1.1.1 Nitric 1—The solution shall contain 20
to 25 volume percent of nitric acid and 2.5 + 0.5
weight percent of sodium dichromate. The parts
shall be immersed for a minimum of 20 min at a
temperature in the range from 120 to 130°F (49 to
54°C).
6.1.1.2 Nitric 2—The solution shall contain 20
to 45 volume percent of nitric acid. The parts shall
be immersed for a minimum of 30 min at a
temperature in the range from 70 to 90°F (21 to
32°C).
6.1.1.3 Nitric 3—The solution shall contain 20 to 25
volume

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

160°F (60 Citric

7.1.1.2 to 71°C).
( h t t p s : / /s t a nd a r d s.iteh.ai)
minimum of 4 min at a temperatur e in the r ang e
2—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight
fr om
mined
14 0 to
9.2 The suitability
by the of aofneutralization
capability
t.
the processedprocedure is deter-
parts meeting the

percent of citric acid. The parts shall bDe imomcersued mfor aenstpecPifierd teestvreiqueirewments.
(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-
7.1.1.3 Citric 3—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weAigShTt M Aat9io6ns7. -A0n1example of a neutralizing treatment would be
immersion of the
percent ohfttpcsit:r/i/cstaancdida. rdTsh.eitepha.ratsi/csahtaalllogb/estaimndmaerrdsesd/sifsot/r68a 91bp1a9rt3fo-
r5abm3idni-m4u0m8of-f 830f2mai-nain4a6sdofl8ut3ioeneo7f c5a%/aNsatmOH-aa9t 16670-t0o 1180°F

minimum of 20 min at a temperature in the range from 70 to 8. Treatments in Other Chemical Solutions, Including
120°F (21 to 49°C). Electrochemical Treatments
7.1.1.4 Citric 4—Other combinations of temperature, time, 8.1 It is recognized that the purpose of removal of all
and concentration of citric acid, with or without other chemi-
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the
specified test requirements.
7.1.1.5 Citric 5—Other combinations of temperature, time,
and concentrations of citric acid, with or without other chemi-
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the
specified test requirements. Immersion bath to be controlled at
a pH of 1.8–2.2.
7.2 Water Rinse—Immediately after removal from the pas-
sivating solution, the parts shall be thoroughly rinsed, using
stagnant, countercurrent, or spray washes, singly or in combi-
nation, with or without a separate chemical treatment for
neutralization of the passivation media (see 9.2), with a final
rinse being carried out using water with a maximum total
solids content of 200 ppm.

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(71 to 82°C), followed by a water rinse.
10. Post-Cleaning Treatments
10.1 Although the passive film characteristic of
stainless steel will form spontaneously in air or any
other oxygen- containing environment, the processor
shall, when specified, apply a chemical treatment that
will accelerate the formation of the passive film on a
chemically clean stainless steel surface. An example
of a medium that serves to accelerate the forma- tion
of the passive film but does not contribute to the
removal of free iron from the stainless steel surface
would be an aqueous solution of sodium dichromate.
10.2 When specified, within one hour after the
final water rinse as required in 6.2, 7.2, or 8.2, all
ferritic and martensitic steel parts shall be immersed
in an aqueous solution containing 4 to 6 weight
percent of sodium dichromate at a temperature in the
range from 140 to 160°F (60 to 71°C) for a minimum
of 30 min, followed by a rinse in accordance with 6.2,
7.2, or 8.2. The parts shall then be thoroughly dried.
10.3 The purchaser may specify other post-
cleaning treat- ments.
11. Finish
11.1 The passivated parts shall exhibit a
chemically clean surface and shall, on visual
inspection, show no etching,