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Rust Removal from Stainless Steel: How to Make That Happen

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Treating or coating a metal with passivation lowers the surface reactivity of the metal to chemicals. In order to avoid rust on stainless steel, passivation entails eliminating any free iron from the metal's surface using an acidic solution. The remaining alloy constituents (mainly chromium, but frequently nickel as well) are left behind as a surface layer over the underlying steel after the surface iron is removed. In the process of Rust Removal from Stainless Steel , these substances react with oxygen in the air to create an oxide layer that shields the rest of the steel from corrosion. The corrosion-resistant surface is susceptible to mechanical, thermal, and chemical degradation. When that occurs, iron is exposed, making the thing more susceptible to rusting. Stainless steel needs to be passivated to add a layer of protection that will shield it from environmental toxins. Metal that has not been passivated is more likely to have small flaws that allow oxygen and water to enter