Passivation of Stainless Steel

In terms of aesthetics and corrosion resistance, stainless steel has all the right characteristics to make for beautiful wire mesh. However, stainless steel looks and performs its best when it is clean. The chromium content in stainless steel combines with oxygen in the air to create a natural passive chromium oxide layer. This chromium oxide layer protects the material from further corrosion. Contaminants of various kinds inhibit this passive oxide layer from developing to its fullest ability leaving the material susceptible to attack. A nitric or citric acid process (passivation) enhances the formation of this oxide layer allowing the stainless steel surfaces to be in an optimal “passive” state.

Before Polishing

After Polishing