Designation: A 967 - 05e1

INTERNATIONAL

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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

€* Note—Section 64.1.1 was editorially corrected in July 2007.

1. Scope* concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility

1.1 This specification covers several different types of of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safely and
chemical passivation treatments for stainless steel parts. It health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
includes recommendations and precautions for descaling, limitations prior to use.
cleaning, and passivation of stainless steel parts. It includes 2. Referenced Documents
several alternative tests, with acceptance criteria, for confirma­
tion of effectiveness of such treatments for stainless steel parts. 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 2 3
1.2 Practices for the mechanical and chemical treatments of A 380 Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Depassivation
stainless steel surfaces are discussed more thoroughly in of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems
Practice A 380. B 117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
1.3 Several alternative chemical treatments are defined for B 254 Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on
passivation of stainless steel parts. Appendix XI gives some Stainless Steel
nonmandatory information and provides some general guide­ 2.2 Federal Specification:2
lines regarding the selection of passivation treatment appropri­ QQ-P-35C Passivation Treatments for Corrosion-Resistant
ate to particular grades of stainless steel. It makes no recom­ Steels
mendations regarding the suitability of any grade, treatment, or 3. Terminology
acceptance criteria for any particular application or class of
applications. 3.1 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard—It is
1.4 The tests in this specification are intended to confirm the necessary to define which of the several commonly used
effectiveness of passivation, particularly with regard to the definitions of the term passivation will be used in this
removal of free iron and other exogenous matter. These tests specification. (See Discussion.)
include the following practices: 3.1.1 Discussion—Stainless steels are autopassivating in the
1.4.1 Practice A—Water Immersion Test, sense that the protective passive film is formed spontaneously
1.4.2 Practice B—High Humidity Test, on exposure to air or moisture. The presence of exogenous
1.4.3 Practice C—Salt Spray Test, surface contamination, including dirt, grease, free iron from
1.4.4 Practice D—Copper Sulfate Test, contact with steel tooling, and so forth, may interfere with the
1.4.5 Practice E—Potassium Ferricyanide-Nitric Acid Test, formation of the passive film. The cleaning of these contami­
and nants from the stainless steel surface will facilitate the spon­
1.4.6 Practice F—Free Iron Test. taneous passivation by allowing the oxygen uniform access to
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded the surface. The passive film may be augmented by chemical
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for treatments that provide an oxidizing environment for the
stainless steel surface,
information only.
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the 3.1.1.1 In this specification, passivation, unless otherwise
test method portions, Sections 14 through 18 of this specifica­ specified, is defined as the chemical treatment of a stainless
tion: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety steel with a mild oxidant, such as a nitric acid solution, for the

2 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or

1 Thisspecification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, contact ASTM Customer Service at scrvice@aslm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
A01.14 on Methods of Corrosion Testing. the ASTM website.
3 Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Cunent edition approved Sept. 1, 2005. Published September 2005. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as A967-Oí*1. Office, Washington, DC 20402.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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c(W A 967 - 05

purpose of the removal of free iron or other foreign matter, but a particular grade of stainless steel in a particular application is
which is generally not effective in removal of heat tint or oxide demonstrated by meeting the specified testing requirepents:
scale on stainless steel. In the case of stainless steels with 5.1.1 Treatments in nitric acid,
additions of sulfur for the purpose of improved machinability, 5.1.2 Treatments in citric acid,
passivation may also include the removal of sulfides from the 5.1.3 Other chemical treatments, including electrochemical
surface of the metal for the purpose of maximizing corrosion treatments,
resistance. 5.1.4 Neutralization, and
3.1.1.2 The formation of the protective passive film on a 5.1.5 Post-cleaning treatments.
stainless steel, also called passivation in a more general 5.2 Materials’.
context, will occur spontaneously in air or other oxygen­ 5.2.1 The chemicals used for passivation treatments shall
containing environment when the stainless steel surface is free produce passivated surfaces that meet the requirements of one
of oxide scale and exogenous matter. or more of the tests of this specification. Attention shall be
3.1.1.3 Chemical treatments, such as sodium dichromate given to maintaining adequate volume, concentration, purity,
solutions, may facilitate the more rapid formation of the and temperature control appropriate to the size and amount of
passive film on a stainless steel surface already free of scale or stainless steel to be treated.
foreign matter. Such treatments, also sometimes called passi­ 5.2.2 The processor shall maintain a record with regard to
vation in common usage, are designated as post-cleaning concentration and temperature of the passivation solution
treatments in this specification in order to distinguish them sufficient to demonstrate that the specified passivation condi­
from chemical treatments capable of removing free iron from tions were maintained for each lot of stainless steel parts
stainless steels. processed. Such records shall be available for inspection when
3.1.1.4 The chemical treatments capable of removing heat specified in the purchase order. The processor is not required to
tint or oxide scale from stainless steel and capable of dissolving reveal the precise composition of proprietary chemical mix­
the stainless steel itself, typically called pickling, are substan­ tures but shall maintain a unique identification of the mixture
tially more aggressive than treatments used for passivation, as that will ensure its accurate representation for subsequent use.
defined in 3.1.1.1. The surface of stainless steel that has been 5.2.3 The processor shall be responsible for the safe dis­
pickled is free of scale, free iron, and exogenous foreign posal of all material generated by this process.
matter, and does not require a separate treatment for passiva­ 5.3 Preparation for Passivation Treatments'.
tion as defined in 3.1.1.1. The passivation process defined in 5.3.1 The pretreatment methods and procedures used prior
3.1.1.2 will occur without further chemical treatment but may to the passivation treatment, including mechanical and chemi­
be augmented and improved by the post-cleaning treatments cal methods, singly or in combination, for descaling and
defined in 3.1.1.3. pickling, shall be in accordance with Practice A 380. When
3.1.1.5 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.
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify a test 6.1.1.1 Nitric 1—The solution shall contain 20 to 25 volume
practice appropriate to any particular material and application. percent of nitric acid and 2.5 ±0.5 weight percent of sodium
This specification was written for the purpose of providing an dichromate. The parts shall be immersed for a minimum of 20
alternative to United States Federal Specification QQ-P-35C, min at a temperature in the range from 120 to 130°F (49 to
Determination of the suitability of this specification for that 54°C).
purpose is the responsibility of the purchaser. 6.1.1.2 Nitric 2—The solution shall contain 20 to 45 volume
4.2 Unless specified by the purchaser, the chemical treat­ percent of nitric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a
ment applied to the stainless steel parts shall be selected by the minimum of 30 min at a temperature in the range from 70 to
seller from among the listed passivation treatments. 90°F (21 to 32°C).
6.1.1.3 Nitric 3—The solution shall contain 20 to 25 volume
5. Materials and Preparation for Passivation Treatments percent nitric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a minimum
5.1 The passivation treatments shall be of one or more of the of 20 min at a temperature in the range from 120 to 140°F (49
following types. The effectiveness of a particular treatment for to 60°C).

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 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
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
7.1.1.1 Citric 1—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight surface of the stainless steel shall be stopped by rinsing of the
percent of citric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a stainless steel part, with or without a separate neutralization
minimum of 4 min at a temperature in the range from 140 to treatment.
160°F (60 to 71 °C). 9.2 The suitability of a neutralization procedure is deter­
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
140°F (49 to 60°C). Note 1—The selection of medium and procedures for a neutralization
7.1.1.3 Citric 3—The solution shall contain 4 to 10 weight depends of the chemistry of the passivation and on economic consider­
percent of citric acid. The parts shall be immersed for a ations. An example of a neutralizing treatment would be immersion of the
part for a minimum of 30 min in a solution of 5 % NaOH at 160 to 180°F
minimum of 20 min at a temperature in the range from 70 to (71 to 82°C), followed by a water rinse.
120°F (21 to 49°C).
7.1.1.4 Citric 4—Other combinations of temperature, time, 10. Post-Cleaning Treatments
and concentration of citric acid, with or without other chemi­
10.1 Although the passive film characteristic of stainless
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or
steel will form spontaneously in air or any other oxygen­
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the
containing environment, the processor shall, when specified,
specified test requirements.
apply a chemical treatment that will accelerate the formation of
7.1.1.5 Citric 5—Other combinations of temperature, time,
the passive film on a chemically clean stainless steel surface.
and concentrations of citric acid, with or without other chemi­
An example of a medium that serves to accelerate the forma­
cals to enhance cleaning, including accelerants, inhibitors, or
tion of the passive film but does not contribute to the removal
proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the
of free iron from the stainless steel surface would be an
specified test requirements. Immersion bath to be controlled at
aqueous solution of sodium dichromate.
a pH of 1.8-2.2.
10.2 When specified, within one hour after the final water
7.2 Water Rinse—Immediately after removal from the pas­
rinse as required in 6.2, 7.2, or 8.3, all ferritic and martensitic
sivating solution, the pairs shall be thoroughly rinsed, using
steel parts shall be immersed in an aqueous solution containing
stagnant, countercurrent, or spray washes, singly or in combi­
4 to 6 weight percent of sodium dichromate at a temperature in
nation, with or without a separate chemical treatment for
the range from 1.40 to 160°F (60 to 71 °C) for a minimum of 30
neutralization of the passivation media (see 9.2), with a final
min, followed by a rinse in accordance with 6.2, 7.2, or 8.3.
rinse being carried out using water with a maximum total solids
The parts shall then be thoroughly dried.
content of 200 ppm.
10.3 The purchaser may specify other post-cleaning treat­
8. Treatments in Other Chemical Solutions, Including ments.
Electrochemical Treatments
8.1 It is recognized that the purpose of removal of all 11. Finish
exogenous matter from a stainless steel surface, including the 11.1 The passivated parts shall exhibit a chemically clean
removal of free iron, can be accomplished by different media, surface and shall, on visual inspection, show no etching,
with potential for benefits to be gained from use of proprietary pitting, or frosting resulting from the passivation procedures.

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12. Testing Agency 16. Practice C—Salt Spray Test

12.1 When required, the purchaser shall be permitted to 16.1 This test is used for the detection of free iron or any
perform such inspections as necessary to determine that the other anodic surface contaminants on stainless steel.
testing agency is capable of performing the specified test. 16.2 The sample representing the lot of passivated parts
shall be tested by the salt spray test conducted in accordance
13. Lot, Frequency of Testing, and Selection of Test with Practice B 117 for a minimum of 2 h using a 5 % salt
13.1 Definition of Lot—A lot shall consist of one of the solution.
following, at the option of the processor: 16.3 The tested sample shall not exhibit rust or staining
13.1.1 The passivated parts of similar alloy and manufac­ attributable to the presence of free iron particles imbedded in
turing methods that are pretreated and passivated in a single the surface.
day or within a time frame that will ensure consistent passiva­
tion results; 17. Practice D—Copper Sulfate Test
13.1.2 The passivated parts of the same product of one size 17.1 This test is recommended for the detection of free iron
from one heat in one shipment; or on the surface of austenitic stainless steels in the 200 and 300
13.1.3 When few parts are involved, the passivated parts series, precipitation hardened stainless steels, and ferritic 400
from an entire production run. series stainless steels having a minimum of 16 % chromium.
13.2 Unless a greater frequency of testing is specified on the This test is not recommended for martensitic 400 series
purchase order, one test per lot shall be sufficient. stainless steels or for ferritic 400 series stainless steels with less
13.3 One or more of the following tests, when specified on than 16 % chromium because these steels will give a positive
the purchase order, shall be performed on each lot of stainless indication irrespective of the presence or absence of anodic
steel parts. Not all of the following tests are suitable for all surface contaminants. This test shall not be applied to parts to
grades of stainless steel. (See Note 2.) be used in food processing.
13.3.1 Practice A—Water Immersion Test, 17.2 The test solution is prepared by dissolving 4 g of
13.3.2 Practice B—High Humidity Test, copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4-5H2O) in 250 mL of
13.3.3 Practice C—Salt Spray Test, distilled water to which 1 mL of sulfuric acid (H2SO4, sp gr
13.3.4 Practice D—Copper Sulfate Test, and 1.84) has been added.
13.3.5 Practice E—Potassium Ferricyanide-Nitric Acid 17.3 The test solution is swabbed on the surface of the
Test. sample representing the lot of passivated parts, applying
Note 2—Some of the tests may produce positive indications not additional solution as needed to keep the surface wet for a
associated with the presence of free iron on the stainless steel surface. An period of at least 6 min. At the end of this period, the surface
example would be application of Practice C on some lesser-alloyed shall be carefully rinsed and dried with care taken not to disturb
martensitic or ferritic stainless steels. copper deposits if present.
14. Practice A—Water Immersion Test 17.4 The tested sample shall not exhibit copper deposits.
14.1 This test is used for the detection of free iron or any
18. Practice E—Potassium Ferricyanide-Nitric Acid Test
other anodic surface contaminants on stainless steel.
14.2 The sample representing the lot of passivated parts 18.1 This test is recommended when detection of very small
shall be alternately immersed in a non-rusting tank of distilled amounts of free iron is required. It is recommended for
water for 1 h and allowed to dry in air for 1 h. This cycle shall detection of free iron on austenitic 200 and 300 series stainless
be repeated a minimum of twelve times. steels. This test is not recommended for detection of free iron
14.3 The tested sample shall not exhibit rust or staining on ferritic or martensitic 400 series stainless steels, because
attributable to the presence of free iron particles embedded in these steels will give a positive indication irrespective of the
the surface. presence or absence of anodic surface contaminants. This test
shall not be applied to parts to be used in food processing.
15. Practice B—High Humidity Test 18.2 The test solution is prepared by adding 10 g of
15.1 This test is used for the detection of free iron or any chemically pure potassium ferricyanide to 500 mL of distilled
other anodic surface contaminants on stainless steel. water, adding 30 mL of 70 % nitric acid, agitating until ail of
15.2 The test shall be performed using a humidity cabinet the ferricyanide is dissolved, and diluting to 1000 mL with
capable of maintaining the specified test conditions. distilled water. The test solution shall be mixed fresh on the day
15.3 The sample representing the lot of passivated parts of the test.
shall be cleaned by immersion in acetone or methyl alcohol or 18.3 The test solution is swabbed on the surface of the
by swabbing with a clean gauze saturated with acetone or sample representing the lot of passivated parts. The formation
methyl alcohol, and dried in an inert atmosphere or desiccated of a dark blue color within 30 s denotes the presence of
container. The cleaned and dried part shall be subjected to 97 metallic iron.
± 3 % humidity at 100 ± 5°F (38 ± 3°C) for a minimum of 18.4 The tested sample shall not exhibit the dark blue color
24 h. indicative of free iron on the surface.
15.4 The tested sample shall not exhibit rust or staining 18.5 When the test is negative, the surface shall be thor­
attributable to the presence of free iron particles imbedded in oughly washed with warm water to removal all traces of the
the surface. test solution. When the test is positive, the dark blue stain shall

A
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 be removed with a solution of 10 % acetic acid and 8 % oxalic 19.3 The tested part shall not exhibit rust or staining
acid, followed by a thorough hot water rinse. attributable to the presence of free iron particles embedded in
the surface.
19. Practice F—Free Iron Test 20. Rejection and Retest
19.1 This test is used for the detection of free iron on the 20.1 Any lot failing to meet the specified test requirements
surface of stainless steel. It is especially useful for large parts of the purchase order shall be rejected. A rejected lot may, at
that have been uniformly cleaned but that are inconvenient for the option of the processor, be re-passivated, with or without
reasons of size of equipment or ease of handling of the part to re-pretreatment, and then be retested. The number of samples
place in the environments defined in Practice A (Section 14) or tested from a lot subject to retest shall be twice the original
Practice B (Section 15). Unless otherwise specified by the specified test frequency, to the limit of the number of pieces in
purchaser, the number of tests and the locations of the tests the lot. All samples must pass the specified acceptance criterion
shall be at the option of the processor to assure a representative for the specified test for the retested lot to be accepted.
testing of the part. 21. Precision and Bias
19.2 The test is performed by placing a clean cloth pad that 21.1 No statement is made concerning either the precision
has(been thoroughly soaked with distilled or deminaralized or bias of Practices A, B, C, D, and E because the results state
wafer on the surface of the part at a part temperature of 50°F merely whether there is conformance to the criteria for success
(10ÍC) or greater for a period of not less than 60 minutes. The specified in the procedure.
clofh shall be in contact with the steel for an area of at least 20
22. Certification
square inches (130 cm2). The pad shall be maintained wet
22.1 When specified in the purchase order, a report of the
through the test period, either by a method of retarding external
practice and tests used, including the record of process condi­
evaporation, by the further addition of potable water, or by
tions when specified in accordance with 3.1.1.2, shall be
backing the pad with a sponge or similar water source. The
supplied to the purchaser.
cloth pad used shall be used for only one such test, being
changed for each test so as to avoid risk of contamination. 23. Keywords
After removal of the cloth pad, the surface of the part shall be 23.1 cleaning of stainless steel; descaling; passivation; tests
allowed to dry in air before inspection. for cleanliness of stainless steels;

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

XL INFORMATION REGARDING PASSIVATION TREATMENTS

Note XI. 1—The following information is based on a section of Federal ferred options permitted by this specification and include the
Specification QQ-P-35C (Oct. 28, 1988) identified as information of a following information in the purchase order:
general or explanatory nature that may be helpful, but is not mandatory.
Minor changes have been made in the text to facilitate references to the X 1.2.1 Title, number, and date of this specification;
main document and to correct technical inaccuracies. Xl.2.2 Identification of material by type and applicable
product specification;
Xl.l Intended Use—The passivation treatments provided XI.2.3 Test practices to be imposed (see 1.4);
by this specification are intended to improve the corrosion X 1.2.4 Definition of lot size, if other than described in this
resistance of parts made from stainless steels of all types. specification; and
XI.LI During processing operations such as forming, ma­ X 1.2.5 Required documentation, if other than the minimum
chining, tumbling, and lapping, iron particles or other foreign required by this specification.
particles may become smeared over or imbedded into the X1.3 Grades of Stainless Steel—Different types of stainless
surface of stainless steel parts. These particles must be re­ steel are selected on a basis of properties required, for example,
moved or they will appear as rust or stain spots. This condition corrosion resistance and design criteria, and fabrication re­
may be prevented by chemically treating the parts to remove quirements. Table Xl.l is a compilation that serves as a guide
the iron particles or other foreign particles, and then allowing for the selection of passivation treatment for different grades,
the passive film to form on the cleaned surface, with or without but is far from complete either in grades or in passivation
chemical enhancement of the formation of this oxide film. treatments.
XI. 1.2 This specification is not intended for the black oxide
coating of parts typically used for photographic or optical X1.4 Clean Water—Clean water is defined as water con­
instruments. taining a maximum total solid content of 200 ppm. Rinsing can
be accomplished by a combination of stagnant, countercurrent
X1.2 Ordering Data—Purchasers should select the pre­ or spray rinses, or both, prior to final rinse.

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 4¡I^ A 967 - 05e1

Passivation Treatment Passivation Treatment

Grade Nitric 1 Nitric 2 Nitric 3 Nitric 4 Grade Nitric 1 Nitric 2 Nitric 3 Nitrig 4
Austenitic Free Machinina
820100 ♦ S30300
S20200 ♦ 830323
830100 * S30310
S30200 • S30323
S30400 ♦ S30330
S30403 ♦ S30345
S30409 • S30360
S30430 • S34720 •-
S30451 • 834723
S30500 S43020
S30800 ♦ 843023
S30900 • S44O2O
830908 • S44023
830940 ♦ Martensitic ‘
S31000 • S40300 ♦
S31400 ♦ S41000 •
S31600 ♦ 841400 ♦
S31603 • S41600
831609 • S41623
832100 S42000
832109 • S43100 •
S34700 • S44002 •
S34709 • S44003 ♦
DupfeX S44004
832900 • • Precipitation
Ferritic Hardenlna
S40500 « ♦ K66286
S40900 • ♦ S13800
S42900 • ♦ S15500
S43000 • S15700
S43400 * ♦ S17400
S43600 • ♦ 817700
S44200 • ♦ S35500
844600 ♦ S36200
S44627 ♦ ♦

FIG. X1.1 Recommended Nitric Acid Passivation Treatments for Different Grades of Stainless Steel

XI.5 Chemically Clean Surface—A chemically clean sur­ surfaces should not be passivated because the treatment will
face is defined as a surface upon which water, when applied severely corrode the nitrided case.
momentarily to the surface, will remain on that surface in an
even, continuous film, and in addition is free of any foreign XI.9 This specification provides for the same passivation
material or residual film deposit which would be detrimental to treatments as Fed. Spec. QQ-P-35C, but also includes a
the quality of the part. number of alternative passivation treatments. The effectiveness
of any passivation treatment is demonstrated by the parts
XI.6 Test Specimens—When using test specimens instead meeting the specified testing requirements after treatment.
of parts, the specimens can effectively represent the parts only
if they have been exposed to the same processing steps, such as XL 10 Martensitic Grade 440C—High-strength grades
machining, grinding, heat treating, welding, and so forth, as the such as 440C are subject to hydrogen embrittlement or
parts they are to represent. intergranular attack when exposed to acids. Cleaning by
XI.7 Carburized Surfaces—Stainless steel parts with car­ mechanical methods or other chemical methods is recom­
burized surfaces cannot be passivated because the carbon mended.
combines with the chromium forming chromium carbides on
the surface. XL 11 The salt spray test is typically used to evaluate
austenitic stainless steels and may not be applicable to all
XI.8 Nitrided Surfaces—Stainless steel parts with nitrided martensitic or ferritic stainless steels.

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 A967-05e1

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue,
A 967-01el, that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Sept, 1, 2005.)

(7) Revised Section 1.3.

(2) Deleted requirement on age of copper sulfate solution in
Section 17.2.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
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