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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Removing of oxide layer on the SS316L surface
Hi,
I want to remove the oxide layer formed on the SS316L or at lest to reduce it. Any suggestion will be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.
Fatiha El Feninatbioengineering and biotechnology - Quebec City, CANADA
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How large or heavy is the part?  AF Kenton retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania The way to overcome the passive chromium oxide layer on stainless steel is an electrolytic process. The Wood's nickel strike is used to overcome the passivity of stainless steels to allow plating look in the Metal Finishing Guidebook links associated with surface preparation and you will find the formula for "Woods nickel strike". Basically it consists of nickel chloride, and hydrochloric acid, pure nickel anodes are used (the process is cathodic). I have also heard that anodic treatment in citric acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] only, will also destroy passivity, but only for a short period of time until the chromium oxide re-heals. Good luck! Jeff Swayze- Kelowna, B.C., Canada |
A quick acid dip followed by a thorough rinse will remove light brown iron oxides, as might be formed in a air bake of 3xx Stainless. Heavily oxidized surfaces, or baked-on stains may require mechanical polishing.
Dale Woika- Bellefonte, PA, US
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