Astropak

Passivation –Sterilize Your Tools

2012-02-13T22:50:00.000-08:00

When you are working in the medical field, cleanliness is not just next to godliness; it's everything. Back before sterilization became a normal part of practicing medicine, more people died of infection from treatment than from their original injuries or diseases. These days sterilization is pretty commonplace, and almost reflexive. Passivation is a part of the process that helps with medical device cleaning. This is a process that forms a protective coating over metal in order to strengthen it, improve its appearance and give it a smoother surface, which in turn gives bacteria less places to hide. It can, more importantly, prevent infection and promote sterility.

The most common passivation technique is to use metal oxides to form a protective layer over the metal instrument in order to protect it from corrosion, to strengthen it against damage, and to make it easier to sterilize. This is an important step in medical device cleaning to make sure that the instruments being used are effectively disinfected every time you clean them. This ensures that the next patient the instruments used on is not exposed to the germs and other contaminants that the previous patient was carrying. Sterility is extremely important in the control and prevention of disease.

Passivation is not only important for the health of the patients, but also for the health of the physicians and medical personnel such as nurses and medical assistants. These are the people who are handling these tools all day who have to perform the actual medical device cleaning. These are the people who are exposed to the most contaminants because they are dealing with multiple patients throughout the day. If you want to protect your own health, then you should be thankful that these procedures exist. They exist to protect you from infection, as well as to protect the patients that these tools are being used on.

Most laymen don't know much about passivation, but that does not mean that they don't benefit from it. It is good that such a technique exists to prevent the spread of disease, and not everyone has to know what it is in order for it to be effective. But if you have to do any medical device cleaning, you should be thankful for it, and for the protection it affords to you. And it also makes it a lot easier for you to keep your tools and devices clean and germ-free to prevent the spread of disease.

Passivation – Proper Equipment Cleaning is Vital to the Medical Community

2012-01-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

When it comes to medicine one of the most important things that needs to be cared for that is left in the background of the medical profession is making sure that equipment is clean. Passivation is often used for deep cleaning of the metal on medical equipment leaving no chance of an unclean surface being left behind. It is vital that the equipment be germ free and ready for use in the medical facility and this is one way to ensure that this is done. Patients rely on the medical equipment being safe for their use.

Using Passivation for cleaning of medical equipment is an impressive step that the medical community has taken to get the best results possible. Disinfecting the equipment is the only way to ensure that the patients are not being left at risk for infection or disease or the transfer of illness. Without these securities it would be impossible to ensure that each patient was safe from harm and able to undergo procedures that could save their lives. Sending out equipment for this process is costly but is certainly worth the payback.

Regardless of how the medical device cleaning is accomplished it is the facilities job to ensure the each patient is protected from risk and this is something many patients likely take for granted. Hospitals are an excellent example of a location where patients could easily be at risk for thousands of illnesses, disease and infection daily. Hundreds of people move through a hospital every day and not maintaining clean equipment would cause major havoc on the systems set up to help the patients. Not only do patients come in contact with the equipment but hundreds of employees, visitors and other passersby that go through the facility.

While doctor's offices and clinics have a much smaller volume of individuals at risk through the doors in a day it is still essential that the medical device cleaning procedures be set and adhered to on a daily basis. Clinics, in particular, are often faced with an overwhelming number of individuals with health issues that could be easily spread from patient to patient without proper cleaning of the equipment. Making sure that the time is taken to care for the equipment on a regular basis is all that stands between the patients and outbreaks of substantial potential. Taking the time to decide on a procedure and sticking with it is the only way of making it standard and a part of the routine ensuring it is consistently accomplished.

Passivation – Getting Maximum Performance from Stainless Steel

2011-12-20T03:17:00.000-08:00

Although the beauty of stainless steel is that you don't generally need to put any type of coating on it, when you are using this material in any sort of industrial process, it may be prone to free iron contamination. With a process known as passivation, you can remove these iron compounds with the use of a chemical dissolution, such as a treatment with acid solution. This helps enhance the performance level of stainless steel or other materials, preventing premature corrosion or deterioration and increasing the material's lifespan.

Passivation is a combination of a cleaning process, because it removes the iron compounds, and is also a protective coating at the same time because it prevents the buildup of any further iron compounds or oxidation. This process begins with a thorough cleaning of the material that is being treated, which is capable of removing coolants, grease, oil, or any other residues that are left behind on the surface of the steel. When steel is used in fabricating machines, they can leave behind their mark in minute amounts. Any type of cleaning can be used to start this process, whether it is soaking the steel in an alkaline solution, or cleaning it with solvents that are specifically designed for this purpose.

After these various residues are removed, the next step to passivate the steel is to place it into a passivating solution. These are usually based on nitric acid, although there are alternative options including citric acid for a more environmentally friendly solution. These will vary in terms of temperature, the concentration of the nitric acid or other passivating agent, and the time that the steel must spend in this immersion. In general the period will range for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the concentration. There are many different variables to include in this length of time.

Another factor to consider when passivating stainless steel is the type of steel that you are using. Be sure to consult with an expert in this field if you have no experience with preparing industrial materials or using acid baths, because if you use the wrong solution or leave the steel in for too long of a time period, there could be negative results. This could include the entire piece of steel dissolving if you are not careful. For this reason, it's always important to get professional guidance or send off your mechanical parts for passivation by professional services.

passivation - Protecting Stainless Steel

2011-10-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

Unless you work with stainless steel or have a number of stainless steel items in your home, you likely know little about protecting the material. Some people believe there is no way to really protect stainless steel and that protection is often unnecessary. Stainless steel is a strong material, which is why it is such a popular material for making appliances and durable goods. Luckily, there are ways to protect your stainless steel against damage. Passivation is a chemical process that creates a barrier on stainless steel, protecting it from damage. The process protects against corrosion and is an excellent way to maintain the value of stainless steel materials.

Some metals naturally form passivation layers without any assistance from man. Over time, a layer forms and provides protection from damaging elements. It is possible to recreate this layer when a person wants to keep their stainless steel items in like-new quality. The natural formation is usually stronger than the man-made version, but man-made versions of protection do offer some barrier to corrosion. Acid is often used in the passivation of stainless steel tanks. It is used when the tanks are cleaned, creating layers of protection inside of the tanks.

If you want to passivate stainless steel, you want to create a surface of protection. The film on the surface of the steel causes the surface to lose its chemical reactivity. This is why it is such a popular option for tanks that hold chemicals. It lowers the corrosion rate which means the tanks are going to last longer. Companies can use non-passivated tanks, but in the long run it ends up costing them a lot more than if they had their tanks treated.

Passivation occurs when free iron, oxide scale, metal chips, iron particles and various other deposits affect a metal. This corrupts the stability of the surface. When you put dangerous chemicals into a container and these chemicals cause a reaction and mix with the steel, it can create dangerous breathing conditions and even explosions. Even if the chemical is not originally dangerous, mixing the chemical in an uncontrolled stainless steel container can make it dangers. The chemical interaction leads to a separate substance that is often much different than the original. This is why passivating stainless steel is such an important part of working with the metal. In order to protect steel from corrosion and maintain a safe storage environment, you need to do everything possible to create a protective passivated layer.

Passivation- What You Should Know

2011-09-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Once stainless steel is cleaned, it needs to go through the passivation process. This is a chemical process that helps to eliminate oxidation and ensure that the stainless steel is in its best shape possible to be used for food and other manufacturing and transportation needs. This process is done to make the surface resistant to corrosion, or more passive, so that it can be used effectively and safely. Passivation is performed using materials like citric acid to ensure that the iron and iron compounds are removed from the surface, but the treatment ensures that the stainless steel itself isn't affected.

In some cases, passivation of stainless steel will include the process of electropolishing. This process allows for a much more effective result because it uses electrochemical technology to produce the best results. Between the chemical cleansing and the polishing stages, stainless steel can be kept cleaner and made ready for use in a variety of different situations. During the handling and processing of stainless steel, things can cause abrasive particles to become embedded in the stainless steel, which is where the process of polishing becomes so helpful to ensuring that the material is prepared accordingly for any type of situation that it may face.

In some cases, stainless steel is used to transport liquids and other materials that leave a greasy residue on it. This is when the vapor degreaser comes into play. This process includes using solvents in vapor form to remove the grease from the surface of the stainless steel, further cleaning it and making it more ready for the next task at hand. All together, these steps are designed to ensure that stainless steel is all ready to use for whatever it is going to be used for, no matter what type of situation that might be.

With passivation of stainless steel, a lot of things can happen. Companies that deal with any type of stainless steel materials for foods and liquid consumables need to make sure that these processes are always followed carefully for the best results. Of course, there is also a need for this process in some other applications. No matter what the process is used for, it is an effective one and a necessary step for proper use of stainless steel holding and processing containers of all types. There are a variety of ways to approach this situation, depending on a company's specific needs, but the basic process is always the same.

passivation - Keep your industrial steel and metal clean with passivation and degreasing

2011-08-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

Passivation is the process of making a material “passive”, usually by the deposition of a layer of oxide that adheres to the metal surface. Passivation affects the properties of almost all metals; prominent examples being aluminum, zinc, titanium and silicon. With regard to corrosion, passivation is the spontaneous formation of a hard non-reactive surface coating that inhibits further corrosion. This layer is generally an oxide or a nitride layer, a few nanometers thick.

Specialized companies manufacture a comprehensive range of Industrial Degreasing Equipment for the washing of industrial parts that deliver unparalleled precision cleaning for all types of component parts. Degreasing equipment is both sold and hired out by these specialized companies. Aqueous based component degreasing equipment is suitable for a wide range of industries including; Aerospace, Automotive, Remanufacturing, Rail, Heavy Industry, Recycling, Oil and Gas, Printing and General Engineering. Degreasing equipment can be designed to suit virtually any production requirement, batch or continuous, simple wash to wash, rinse and dry and electric or gas fired. Detergent concentration monitoring and dosing, oil removal systems, advanced filtration systems and RLC control are just some of the features that can be incorporated into the machine designs. Vapor degreasing machines are also very popular. They are a genuinely safe alternative to solvent cleaning.

Normally stainless steel is resistant to surface attacks in mildly corrosive environments. When corrosion does occur, pits form on the surface or within details of the component. In order to prevent it, stainless steel passivation is carried out to protect it from corrosion and oxidation. Stainless steel passivation removes free iron or iron compounds from a stainless steel surface with the use of chemicals. To passivate stainless steel; typically an acid solution such as nitric acid or citric acid that removes the surface problem but doesn’t affect the stainless steel itself is used. If the iron and foreign particles are not removed, they will appear as rust or oxidation. Passivation will dissolve the particles and allow a thin permanent film to form on the surface. To passivate stainless steel surfaces, one can approach many of the specialized companies that dedicate themselves to it. Many of them have online portals and comply with US stainless steel passivation standards.

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Medical Device Cleaning – Degreaser

2011-07-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

There are several processes that go into making products. Every commercial company that runs an industrialized factory knows that there are so many components that have to be just right. One of the important things to do while you are using high tech equipment is cleaning them. Mechanical parts always seem to shed grease from every moving part. The use of industrial degreasing equipment can save a ton of time for the people that are cleaning the mechanical parts. Grease is an essential part of the overall process, but too much of it is not safe and can contaminate products.

Two main ways to degrease and maintain equipment are with a vapor degreaser, or by the process of passivation. Vapor degreasing involves using natural water vapor to control and clean up the grease on mechanical parts. Specialized vapor degreasing equipment is required because it does take someone trained to use it. Hot water vapor is directly applied to the grease to make it much easier to remove. Grease is a difficult thing to clean and the addition of vapor degreasers has made it much easier for industrial businesses and their equipment to maintain a high level of cleanliness and performance.

The process of passivation is an interesting development. Old equipment is very prone to degrading and rusting. This can cause health issues with medical devices, and especially for the workers. Rust and weakened metal are not strong enough to stand the test of time on their own that is where passivation comes in. This process adds strong new metals to the side of an existing metal façade. The new metal makes the equipment look nicer and newer. However it does much more than that. It actually improves the structural integrity of the individual piece and the overall structure. Industrial cleaning had come a long way.

Certain products are a type of thing that has to be guaranteed clean. These are medical devices. Any product manufactured for the medical field must be certified and guaranteed clean from start to finish. No grease or any other contaminate can get into a medical device while it is being made. Medical device cleaning is essential to getting the safest and best equipment to hospitals and to doctors everywhere. Sterilization also needs to take place before medical equipment can be shipped anywhere. Before packaging medical products are examined rigorously to make sure they are clean and perfect for use in doctor's offices and hospitals.

Advanced Cleaning – A Look at Advanced Cleaning Techniques

2011-06-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

There are many industries that require numerous types of advanced cleaning techniques. From the aerospace industry to the health care field, certain materials and tools must be cleaned with exacting, advanced cleaning techniques. Stainless steel lab equipment may need to be treated and cleansed on a regular basis and fuel lines often need to be cleaned to ensure that good product flow is maintained. For these jobs and more, precision cleaning companies are relied on due not only to their expertise but because of the unique tools and equipment that is needed to undertake these advanced cleaning processes. Several types of advanced cleaning exist, and some are more complex than others.

Industrial pipelines of all types will likely need to be flushed or cleaned from time to time. Oil or gas pipelines along with other types that carry paint, toiletries, and chemicals will need to be cleaned and inspected periodically. Pipeline pigging is the process normally used to handle this task. During the process, a pipeline inspection gauge, or 'pig', is used. The pig is inserted into the system at a 'pig launcher' and is then pushed through the line by the pressure inside, eventually being retrieved by a 'pig catcher' and removed from the system. This process ensures that the flow of the product within the pipe maintains optimal levels.

Many materials used in laboratory or medical settings are constructed of high grade stainless steel. Nevertheless, these materials can still develop chemical buildups or suffer from rust if not cleaned and maintained properly. Passivation is the process of coating a metal with a passive layer of oxide that doesn't react to the air. It resists corrosion by shielding the metal that has been treated. Different methods are used to treat different types of metal, and the tools needed can be expensive and the process itself complex. All materials will need to undergo the treatment regularly in order to remain in high quality.

Oxygen cleaning is commonly used to help products to operate in or help contain an oxygen rich environment by removing any contaminants through a complex chemical process. Both inorganic and organic contaminants are eliminated and the process can be completed on a number of materials. Due to the expertise needed to undertake these exacting cleaning processes and the high expenses that accompany the equipment required, most companies hire third party cleaning specialists to handle their advanced cleaning needs. In their skilled hands the processes normally take little time and are completed with the best possible results.

Passivation- Finding the Best Pigging Equipment

2011-05-05T22:21:00.000-07:00

When it comes to passivation, the equipment that is being used is almost as important as the process itself, if not more so. By taking the time to prevent surfaces from corrosion and other chemical reactions, you are creating a better environment for all types of processes where this is required. Pigging equipment is essential to a proper passivation procedure, which is why you need to take the time to see what is out there and get the right equipment for your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind:

-Always make sure that you choose high quality equipment. While you do have a budget to work with, the quality of the products is going to be much more important. If you buy cheap materials, you should expect cheap results in the long run.

-Never buy products from a supplier that you can't trust. Look at the supplier, check out their reputation, and do whatever you can to ensure that you are working with a company that cares about its customers and stands behind its products.

-Make sure that you get the equipment that suits your needs. While this might sound obvious, some people are tempted to buy something that works 'as well as' the right equipment or to get something cheaper and create a makeshift system for their operations. This is never a good idea, and you should always get the exact materials that you need for your pigging system.

-Shop around for the best deals. You shouldn't buy bargain basement products in this situation, but you can find reputable suppliers that provide affordable deals on pigging equipment to suit all of your needs. If you want the best products at the best price, you have to search for them.

These are tips that can help make the passivation process more successful. Having the right pigging equipment might seem like a simple element of the process, but not everyone sees it that way. You really need to take the time to check out the different products that are available so that you can get exactly what you need. Whether you are dealing with food or other sanitary processes, having the right equipment makes all the difference in your operations. It is really simple as long as you take the time to look, and the internet makes it easier than ever to find all the equipment that you need.

Passivation and Derouging – Protecting Expensive Equipment

2011-04-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

In the pharmaceutical or biotechnical field, equipment maintenance is an important aspect of keeping a workspace in top shape. A common problem with equipment in these fields is known as 'rouging'. Most equipment used by professionals contains stainless steel, and after several months of regular use a rust color will appear on equipment surfaces. Derouging is the process that must be undertaken to clean these surfaces totally. Following the cleaning, preventative steps should be taken to guard against the occurrence of rouging in the future. Regular inspections will also help decrease the amount of rouge that can form on equipment.

Alkaline cleaning and rinsing are preformed primarily to remove any rouge. Once this process is complete, the next phase will be started. To put it simply, a layer of chromium oxide is applied to the surface of any equipment being dealt with. This process is known as passivation, and is an important safeguard against the formation of rouge. Once the rouge has been removed, this preventative safeguard measure can be begun. Certain chemicals may increase the amount of chromium oxide that is applied to the equipment. The higher these levels, the more protection the surface will have against the future formation of rouge.

The entire process of passivating stainless steel is a very involved and precise undertaking, involving several steps but ending with dramatic results. Unfortunately, however, the process itself is not a permanent solution. High levels of heat, nicks and scratches will both cause the protective layer to degrade more quickly. Even if the equipment is unused, time will eventually take its toll on the chromium oxide layer. When these effects wear off, rouging will appear again. The only way to effectively safeguard against unwanted rouging is to carry out regular repassivation to help maintain and replace the chromium oxide that protects the equipment's surface.

Regular maintenance featuring precision cleaning and repassivation will help any type of equipment maintain its sheen. Guarding against corrosion and oxidization is important in any field, especially pharmaceuticals. Relying on a professional, experienced company to deliver repassivation at regular intervals is the only way to guarantee that equipment will stay in the best shape possible for years to come. And the process isn't relegated to just steel, either. A wide number of different materials can be protected in this manner. The chemicals used can be hazardous, and the process is complex, making it difficult and dangerous to attempt alone. Skilled professionals can handle any size job and deliver lasting results.

Picking and passivation of stainless steel - Stainless Steel Passivation

2011-03-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

Passivation of stainless steel is an important process to think about. It improves the quality of the metal and the corrosion resistance, which helps to make the stainless steel last longer. Passivating steel is a great way to keep the metal looking new, resisting collection of debris and eliminate the risk of rusting or other buildup on the steel. The process requires a lot of time and should only be done by professionals, so if your products are in need of passivating, you really need to hire someone to make sure that the job is done right.

One important area of business where this practice can come in handy is with pickling and passivation of stainless steel. AstroPak offers this process which consists of immersing the components in citric or nitric acid without any oxidizing salts that will dissolve the iron that has embedded itself into the steel and restore the surface so that it continues to be corrosion resistant and protected so that it can be used to the best of its ability. The process seems fairly simple, but it does require a trained hand so you should never do it for yourself.

There are testing procedures and passivation procedures that need to be followed in order to get the right results with this process. With passivation of stainless steel, it basically makes the product new again, which is something that should be done regularly. This can be used in all types of commercial and industrial applications. In some cases, it can be done in residential situations, but it is hardly needed because people are constantly cleaning their own household items. This is typically for commercial or industrial situations.

It doesn't matter what type of business you have or what your need is for this cleaning process because you can find plenty of professionals who offer passivation of stainless steel as a service to anyone who needs it. You can find professional services everywhere, so make sure that you take the time to check out company reputations and learn as much as you can. Also, check for compliance with ISO certifications to make sure that you are getting the best professionals in the business. You should look at the costs, but only in relation to the services that you get. By doing this, you will be able to make sure that you get the right cleaning services to get the job done.

Astro Pak Capabilities

On-site and In-house Services
Derouging
Ultra Pass� (Citric Acid Chelant) Passivation of Stainless Steel
Nitric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel and Other Alloys
Pickling and Passivation
Cleaning and Passivation for Pre-Commissioning, Maintenance, Planned Shutdown and Emergency Outage Projects
Professional Consulting

passivation - Astro Pak Names Ronald Pentecost EH&S Director

2011-02-13T20:42:00.000-08:00

Astro Pak Corporation, the leading provider of passivation, precision, high purity and chemical & oxygen cleaning, today announced the appointment of Ronald Pentecost as Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). Mr. Pentecost will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring organizational compliance with current safety regulations and promoting the protection of all project personnel, including customers.

Mr. Pentecost brings over 25 years of experience in EH&S spanning across various industries such as aerospace/aviation, oil and gas, and power generation. Prior to joining Astro Pak, he has served as site, regional and corporate EH&S manager for several companies located throughout the United States.

“Ron Pentecost exemplifies a strong combination of skills and experience that will continue to strengthen Astro Pak’s commitment to safety,” said Erik Frankl, Astro Pak’s Chief Operating Officer. “Providing environmental health and safety guidance is a challenging responsibility that requires meticulous attention to detail and a passion for promoting ongoing safety training. Ron’s excellent track record and commitment to safety proves he is the man for the job. I am excited that he has joined the Astro Pak family.”

Mr. Pentecost is a mechanical engineer retired from the United States Navy where he served as the assistant safety officer for a US Navy ship repair facility. He has received several decorations for his engineering and safety vocations. Ron lives in Southern California with his wife and has three grown daughters.

About Astro Pak

Since its inception in 1959, Astro Pak has become the largest provider of precision cleaning and passivation services in North America. Its expertise and technologies extend across myriad industries, among them: biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, aerospace and defense, semiconductor, and power generation. Astro Pak is privately held with headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA.

About SixLog Corporation

As a subsidiary of Astro Pak, SixLog provides on-site biological decontamination and sterilization for equipment, rooms and entire facilities. Its proprietary iHP™ (ionized Hydrogen Peroxide) decontamination technology is utilized across a variety of industries including life sciences, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, healthcare, first responders, and transportation. SixLog is privately held with headquarters in Santa Ana, CA.

Citric Passivation – Passivation and Derouging of Stainless Steel

2011-02-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

Stainless steel doesn’t rust because of a process that leaves a very thin coat of chromium or other corrosion resistant surface. The process is called passivation. Passivation is accomplished by depositing a layer of oxide on the surface of the stainless steel. This layer is only a few nanometers thick and protects the metal from any corrosion. The process may also include the removal of all free iron on the surface to prevent any weak spots for corrosion may develop. Citric passivation uses citric acid to remove free iron. It has been used successfully and is not harmful to the environment or to humans.

Passivation is a precision cleaning of sorts. It is used on very large surfaces to remove very small contaminants. It is also used on very small stainless steel parts to ensure that there will be no corrosion especially in a tough environment. Stents that are used in angiography are finished in this way. It is very important that the stainless steel used for medical purposes like in heart surgery or pins for broken bones can withstand moist and chemically tough environments like the interior of the human body.

Derouging is another similar process to passivation. Roughing is a type of corrosion that is found only on stainless steel. Metal that has experienced this type of corrosion can be corrected. Roughing may occur when there is a high incidence of iron on the surface of the metal. Or it may also be the result of temporary support welding jobs that leave a spot of low chromium when the supports are welded off. The correction must be made chemically. The chemicals will not harm the stainless steel, but do remove the rouge. After the chemical cleaning, the surfaces of the stainless steel are repassivated to protect them from further problems.

The whole process is actually quite safe and is mostly pH neutral and uses chemicals that do not cause harm. To passivate stainless steel is necessary for medical instruments or even for use inside the body. To have iron oxide buildup on stainless steel inside the body could become a big problem. But chemically treated metals inside the body could be a problem too. That, however, is not a problem with passivation. These methods and chemicals are completely safe. Citric passivation is a newer process and has proven even safer than traditional methods.

The Benefits of Pipeline Pigging

2011-01-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

Pipeline Pigging is a type of system used to inspect or clean pipes while the product is still flowing through it. For example, paint factories frequently use pigs to clean the pipes between the batches of paint to prevent contamination. The pigs have gotten their name not because they resemble real pigs, they don’t, but because of the squealing noise they make as they travel through the pipes. Eventually, the nickname was made into an acronym that stands for Pipeline Inspection Gauge or Pipeline Inspection Gizmo. There are over 500 types of pigs and many businesses use them because pigging a pipeline affords several benefits.

The main benefit of pigging is the fact that the pipeline does not need to be shut down in order for it to be cleaned or inspected. In the past, production time would be lost because the pipes had to be manually shut down in order to for people to do anything with them. The pigs, however, have made it possible for a company to perform maintenance on the pipes while still maintaining their production. For example, a sealing pig could be sent in to seal a tube using a method of passivation that would extend the life of the pipe.

The most common types of pigs are cleaning and sealing. Cleaning pigs go through a pipeline and remove water, debris, and other unwanted items from the line so that the product can flow freely. This also helps prevent the product from becoming contaminated with dirt and debris which is important for companies that make personal care products. The last thing a business wants is for a customer to become ill or injured because of contamination. Many companies even use oxygen cleaning pigs to boost the level of purity in the system to ensure the product remains untainted.

Pigging also plays its part in reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing. In the past, an operator had to completely flush a line in order to ensure that it was fully cleared of product before sending another type of product through. As you can imagine, this wasted a lot of time and resources. Using pigs, however, a line can be cleared and cleaned without using corrosive or toxic substances that find their way into our natural resources. Ultrapass can also be used to passivate a pipeline so that it slows down the rate of corrosion further preventing toxic substances from finding their way into the environment.

Chemical Cleaning – Pigging Your Pipes

2010-12-18T00:24:00.000-08:00

When there is a need for deep chemical cleaning, there are various processes that one can use. However, it is important to ensure that you are properly trained before performing any of the following techniques. When cleaning with chemicals, there are multiple risks involved. On the other hand, when it is done properly, there will be a nice clean surface that will not need to be replaced due to grime and build up. Let’s take a look at a few different ways to clean with chemicals that will successfully renew the area being cleaned.

Passivation is a treatment that is used to dissolve iron that has built up on the surface of machinery. If the iron is not removed, the machinery will look like it is rusty due to corroding. This treatment is done by submerging the components into citric acid or nitric acid. If done correctly and without the use of oxidizing salts, the iron will successfully dissolve. Also, an oxide film that is transparent will form on the surface to protect it from any more iron build up.

Passivation of stainless steel will not work if it has a nitride surface or carbonized surface. This is because the component’s size will be reduced when the nitric acid dissolves the surface. When you are finding a company to complete passivation for you, it is highly important to let them know the exact type of stainless steel that you need cleaned. Once your product is successfully cleaned, there will be a new sheen to it and if it is done properly there will not be a reason to have it cleaned again for quite some time.

When talking about cleaning metal with chemicals, one might be interested in knowing more about pipeline pigging. This is the process in which a pipeline inspection gauge (pig) is used to clean the pipes without stopping the flow of fluids through the pipe. When the pig is placed into the funnel at the end of the pipe, the pipe is closed off. Once the pipe is closed, the pressure of the liquid running through the pipe will push the pig all the way through the piping until it reaches the end and all of the gunk will come along with it. This is a very effective way to clean out piping and will not stop the flow of what is coming through the pipe. This way, daily occurrences will not be disrupted.

Chemical Cleaning – Getting the Best Service for an Affordable Price

2010-11-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in the prospect of getting the best industrial cleaning for your business, you are going to want to make sure that you are paying attention to all of the options out there. One of the most common ways to go about finding some industrial cleaning service is to ask through word of mouth. This might make the most sense at first. If you need good quality chemical cleaning, you are going to want to make sure that you are finding a business that is doing the best job for companies and businesses just like yours. The truth of the matter is that you might be missing out on some great opportunities.

If you are looking for the best precision cleaning, you are going to want to be sure that you are looking at all of your options. You are also going to want to be sure that you are looking at a number of different aspects that are related to the work you need done. For example, you are going to want to concentrate on aspects such as efficiency and safety, but as with any kind of service, you are also going to want to make sure that you are getting the best deal for your money. If you look around online, you might find some great trustworthy services that you can use and save money with.

When you are looking for a cleaning service that will provide passivation of stainless steel, as well as a number of other services, you are going to want to make sure that you find a business that has been around for a few years at least. You will also want to make sure that they will do the best work for the best possible price. You will want to make sure, however, that you are not paying too little for the service. In some ways, paying too little can be worse than paying too much, since you might end up having to pay for another service to finish the job.

You will also want to make sure that the service you choose also performs services such as pipeline pigging and a number of other similar services. In the end, the most important thing is that you are paying a reasonable price and getting the service that you have paid for. When you give a company your business, you expect to get the best service. This simply just makes sense.

Precision Cleaning – Meet all Your Industrial Needs with Precision Cleaning

2010-10-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

Precision cleaning is about so much more than just getting the "pipes" clean. It is important that they are cleaned in a manner that will not hamper productivity while also ensuring that there are fewer replacements needed over the lifetime of the equipment. Equipment is expensive to replace so proper maintenance and precise cleaning practices are vital to prolong the lifespan and proper functioning of your business equipment. Not only should the cleaning service you choose pay attention to proper cleaning but also to thorough inspections to identify potential problems early on. This will prevent costly repairs, expensive down time, and potentially damaged products rolling off the lines.Prolonging the life of your equipment with precision cleaning is not only a good business decision from a financial perspective but also from a safety perspective. The safety of yourself, your business partners, and your employees is a huge concern in any business. Equipment that is not properly cleaned and maintained cannot function properly. This increases the risk to the people who work on or with the industrial equipment exponentially. It also opens you up to a potentially huge financial obligation if anyone is injured as a result of failing to properly clean and maintain your equipment.

In days of old companies would have to shut down completely in order to clean the equipment. New technology has changed this and made cleaning equipment a much more cost effective process for the company as a whole. A process known as "pipeline pigging" allows many inspection processes to go on without halting production. Unfortunately, this process is not a practical option for pipes that utilize butterfly valves. Pigging is generally performed in the beginning or near the end of the batch though it is possible to use "pigs" in the middle of a batch in some circumstances.

There are special considerations that need to be taken into account with specific materials. One such consideration would be the pasivation of stainless steel. This is a process by which the material is not only cleaned but cleaned in a manner that makes it resistant to corrosion. The process literally prohibits the surface from being chemically reactive so that rust and other forms of corrosion do not occur. This is necessary not only to prolong the life of the equipment but also to ensure that foreign particles are not introduced into the batch. It is generally preceded by a process known as pickling to remove any buildup that already exists.

Oxygen Cleaning – What to Look for When You Are Outsourcing

2010-09-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

People who work in certain industrial and laboratory environments are going to have special needs when it comes to having equipment and services cleaned. There are a number of contaminates in all environments that will sometimes react badly with oxidized chemicals, such as oxygen and chlorine. This is why many people in certain industrial and laboratory environments will need to hire companies and services that provide oxygen cleaning. This is process will clean all of the materials in surfaces in an area so that there are no organic or artificial contaminates that will react with chemicals such as oxygen and chlorine.

When you are looking for an oxygen cleaning service for your lab or industrial center, you can start by doing a quick online search. If you are not used to using the internet, you will find that you can find virtually anything on the web. You will be able to find some great services that will take care of your needs and will do so at an affordable price. When you are looking for oxygen clean services, you will want to make sure that the services you choose are professional and that they guarantee timeliness and affordability.

You may also be interested in finding a service that provides vapor degreasing. This is a service that will completely clean surfaces and materials in a number of lab and industrial settings. When you are looking for a service that provides this kind of work, you want to make sure that they also provide a number of similar kinds of work that way you can form a bond with that service. Having this kind of relationship with this kind of company can prove to have many benefits in the long run.

When you are looking for oxygen clean or vapor degreasing services, it’s important to keep in mind those personal rules you would use when searching for any outsourcing service. You will want to make sure that they have the necessary equipment and that they hire dedicated employees who know how to get the work done. You will also want to make sure that they will get the work done in a timely fashion and that they will do the work completely for an affordable price. These processes are all about safety, which means that you don’t want to cut any corners. This is one area where you will only want to hire the most skilled professionals who will make your workspace oxygen clean and ready for work.

Precision Cleaning – Stainless Steel Corrosion

2010-08-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

Stainless steel water systems are subject to contamination from iron. This can be the result of dragging or welding carbon steel to the stainless steel or from steel wire brushes. The formation of iron oxide on stainless steel results in a reddish color on various water system parts or red particles in the water. Likewise, the issue of chlorine or dissolved oxygen in the water can also create oxidation. This iron oxide is called rouging and requires precision cleaning to remove. This often requires a professional service and special chemicals in order to restore the water system to its pre-contamination state.

The process of the derouging is best performed by professional experience using the chemicals needed. The chemicals used in the process must be strong enough to remove the iron oxide yet not damage the stainless steel. The proper alkaline cleaning allows for the removal of the rouge so the surface may be repassivated. In short, the chemicals strip the surface down so that the iron oxide coating is removed and a layer of chromium can be rebuilt to protect the stainless steel from further oxidation. Naturally, if oxidation is a result of dragging or welding, the process will likely not need to be repeated. However, if it is a result of untreated water periodic checks will be required.

Precision cleaning of stainless steel water system parts performed by a professional service should be documented for validation purposes. In settings such as the pharmaceutical sector, the necessity of clean environments requires regular upkeep of stainless steel piping and documentation of such upkeep. This prevents germs from breeding on the stainless steel in the biofilm formed by oxidation. Regular checks and routine removal of rouging prevents micro-corrosive attacks. Likewise, maintaining oxygen levels and temperature conditions can further prevent oxidation or allow for longer periods between removals.

The process of derouging can easily be delegated to an appropriate service provider with experience in the necessary chemicals and processes. A quality professional can not only removes the deposits but can perform passivation to reapply the protective chromium layer. These providers not only possess the knowledge and ability to remove iron oxide deposits and resurface your stainless steel, but also can recommend adjustments and troubleshoot causes of the oxidation. Therefore, future removals and re-passivation will not be required as often. In a pharmaceutical environment this can be of critical importance to maintaining a clean environment.

Getting Surfaces Ready for Work the Right Way

2010-07-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

What is citric passivation? Citric acid is a natural byproduct of citrus fruits grown around the warmer regions of the country. Passivation is an industrial practice used to clean one surface in preparation for contact with another. The process cleans the first surface of any impurities that might have an adverse reaction with the second surface. In the United States, many industries use nitric acid in passivation. However, citric passivation is increasingly used. Since citric acid is a natural byproduct, it is much safer to use the nitric acid. That makes citric passivation safer for both workers and consumers. One of the most common industries to use passivation is the stainless steel industry. Nitric acid is still most common but citric passivation is gaining popularity.

What is pipeline pigging? For many years in the oil industry, industry experts have used pipeline inspection gauges, also called pigs, in large diameter oil pipes. The same technology has recently gained popularity in many other areas with extensive typing. Pipeline pigging allows inspections and cleaning without disturbing processing in many cases. To allow pipeline pigging, workers must install a special funnel on the pipeline. When required, workers place the pig in this funnel and allow it to flow along with the contents of the pipe. There is normally a special trap in place to catch the pig at a certain point. Pipeline pigging is used in almost every industry where pipes move product.

What is oxygen cleaning? Oxygen cleaning refers to preparing a surface to allow contact with highly reactive oxidizers. In many industries where oxygen or chlorine moves through a pipeline, workers must clean the inside of the pipe periodically to meet industry specifications. Some gases used in industry are extremely expensive and require high levels of purity. Oxygen cleaning is useful in this area as well. Oxygen cleaning is useful in many areas of industry including cleaning pressure gauges, regulators, valves, and tubing.

You might need an oxygen cleaning service if you work in the medical or scientific field. These services come out and clean equipment used in both fields. An oxygen cleaning service purifies medical equipment of any corrosive oxidizers. An oxygen cleaning service helps remove debris or particles from lab equipment as well. All of this is necessary to maintain sterility and safety. You can get help in getting your workplace in order. Use an oxygen cleaning service to help you.oxygen cleaning service, oxygen cleaning, pipeline pigging, citric passivation

Using Passivation to protect your metal

2010-07-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

Passivation is a widely used word on the Google. Many people, though involved in the industry related to passivation, don’t understand the full implications of it. Generally, people working in the machine shops or other manufacturing units look out for passivate coating on their machines and spare parts.
Most machines are made of iron, iron ores or stainless steel. Such units are very venerable to erosion as they are routinely exposed to water and other wet material. Yes, even stainless steel needs this protective coating in order to work for a longer duration.
Many purchasing agents, machine shop owners, and engineers overlook the need of nitric acid passivation and are in a complete dark about knowing the relationship between chemical passivation and corrosion resistant.
Some also believe it to be a cleaning process that is required only after the machines are in operation for more than 5 years.
Chemical or citric acid passivation increase the corrosion defiant properties and form a transparent and thin film on the metal. And it surely works. If you do verification tests, that include immersing the metal in the copper sulphate solution or spraying liquid full of salt under high humid conditions, you would be able to see how well your machine is protected against the corrosion.
The aerospace industry, medical and electronic industries routinely demand their machine parts to be passivate
after every few months as this ensures smooth running of all the machinery. The demand of the maximum performance from these industries can’t be ignored and therefore passivation becomes a necessity.
In this process, the exogenous iron or iron compounds are removed from the stainless steel by using chemical dissolution. Some experts point out the need of treating the machine or its parts with acid simultaneously. If such a process is not carried, the free iron that grabs the surface will leave behind a contamination and result in permanent corrosion.

Citric Passivation

2010-06-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

When a metal like stainless steel is immersed in a solution of citric acid and oxidizing salts; the corrosion resistant surface is restored by a thin oxide film. The process of formation of this surface of oxide film is known as citric passivation. The process is important because it helps restoring material’s original properties when it comes in contact with another material. Passivation is also used to nullify corrosion after the surface is thoroughly cleaned or descaled. The hard surface formation film that is developed after passivation restricts corrosion. This process is usually seen in materials like iron, aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, titanium, and silicon.

Through citric passivation, the impurities inside the surface of a container are dissolved and oxidized that are then rinsed away by water. A passivating layer can also be formed even in ordinary steel materials. Also, there are certain materials which work as corrosion inhibitors that help in formation of passivation layer on application to metals. Citric acid passivation techniques are always considered better due to their strong oxidizing agent and acid used for dissolving metals. This type of passivation is also safer than nitric acid passivation.

Oxygen cleaning helps remove greases, combustible oils, and materials that can cause explosion or fire when they come in contact with oxygen. Through oxygen cleaning, one can also remove excessive rust from the materials. The process is generally performed in factory furnaces, refineries, pressure gauge machines, regulators, hospitals, filters, and other assemblies or plants. Oxygen cleaning services are provided by trained staff and professionals in the field.

Chemical cleaning is a process that uses chemicals like phosphates, chlorine, glycol ethers, ammonia etc. for metal cleaning. Through the process of chemical cleaning, undesired contaminants are removed from the walls and surfaces of vessels, pipelines, equipments, and heat exchangers. It is a method of purification, treatment, conditioning, and water disinfection.

The Basics of Passivation

2010-05-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

In the process of passivation, a material is made passive in relation to another material. This is usually done prior to using both the materials together. Taking the example of hydrogen peroxide, whenever it is stored in an aluminium container, the container requires passivation.

The passivate process includes rinsing nitric acid passivation and peroxide alteration with deionized water. The citric acid passivation neatly oxidizes and dissolves all the impurities that are present on the inner surface of container. The deionized water used in the process rinses away the acid along with the other oxidized impurities present in the container.

The second type of passivation process related to cleaning stainless steel tanks includes cleaning with citric acid and sodium hydroxide and followed by a wash by nitric acid and a thorough water rinse in the end. This process of steel passivation removes metal particles, restores the film, empties it of the dirt and other welding-generated compounds.

If we talk about corrosion, the passivation implies spontaneous formation of typical non-reactive film on the surface that holds back further corrosion. Usually, this layer is made of nitride or oxide that has the thickness of few molecules. This layer, if used consistently can save a very large amount of corrosion and is highly useful for containers that transport chemicals that easily erode the substances.

Aluminium that is very frequently used in making such containers is protected from oxidation by alloziging and anodizing. In addition to this, stacked passivation techniques are used for protecting industrial aluminium. For instance, to sealant a previously anodized surface, chromating is used. It increases the resistance in the aluminium parts that are exposed to salt-water frequently. By following passivation regularly, nearly a half of the cost spent in maintenance of these industrial goods can be reduced dramatically.

What is Ultra Pass Passivation?

2010-01-16T04:09:00.000-08:00

Passivation is the chemical treatment process by which the electrochemical condition of passivity is obtained on the surface of metal alloys. Passivity as it relates to austenitic stainless steel is the state in which chemical reactivity is minimized under special environmental conditions, such that the metal exhibits a very low corrosion rate.

Why Passivate Stainless Steel?

Properly passivated stainless steel contains a chromium oxide film which serves as a barrier at the surface that resists the corrosion process rendering it corrosion resistant. However, when the surface is manipulated by metal finishing, welding, grinding, and external contamination etc., then passivation is required to restore or enhance the chromium oxide film on the stainless steel surface.

1.) Benefits of passivation:

2.) Reduce corrosion vulnerability.

3.) Reduce product contamination potential.

4.) Extend system maintenance intervals.

5.) Decrease equipment downtime.

6.) Meet cGMP surface quality requirements (if applicable).

CLEANING AND PASSIVATION BASICS

2009-12-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Cleaning and passivation are an integral part of system performance and maintenance. Precision cleaning passivation removes surface contamination (metal oxides, inclusions, and bio-contamination), improve the formation of the passive (inert) layer or zone and increase the chromium/iron ratio producing a corrosion resistant surface.

Properly passivated stainless steel contains a chromium oxide film which serves as a barrier at the surface that resists the corrosion process rendering it corrosion resistant. However, when the surface is manipulated by metal finishing, welding, grinding, and external contamination etc., then passivation is required to restore or enhance the chromium oxide film on the stainless steel surface.

Benefits of passivation:

1. Reduce corrosion vulnerability.

2. Reduce product contamination potential.

3. Extend system maintenance intervals.

4. Decrease equipment downtime.

5. Meet cGMP surface quality requirements (if applicable).

Astro Pak Capabilities

· On-site and In-house Services

· Ultra Pass® (Citric Acid Chelant) Passivation of Stainless Steel

· Nitric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel and Other Alloys

· Pickling and Passivation

· Cleaning and Passivation for Pre-Commissioning, Maintenance, Planned Shutdown and Emergency Outage Projects

· Professional Consulting

High Purity Cleaning & Ultra Pass Passivation

2009-10-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

High purity precision oxygen cleaning, and Ultra Pass passivation is an integral part of system preparation and maintenance. The synergism of technical knowledge, logistical mobility, superior equipment and a dedicated field experienced staff will provide a company with the highest economic return. Furthermore, processes and procedures must meet or exceed Industry Standards such as ASTM A-967 and ASTM A-380. Astro Pak has been precision cleaning and passivating high purity stainless steel systems and components since 1959. The processes carried out when passivation include citric acid passivation based or nitric acid based chemistries depending on customer specifications and industry standards.

Types of Systems Serviced

Astro Pak has the capability to perform in-house or onsite high purity cleaning and Ultra Pass passivation for the following systems:

1. Water for Injection

2. Pure Steam

3. Reverse Osmosis

4. De-ionized Water

5. High Purity Gas and Vacuum

6. Product and Process

7. WFI Stills

8. Pure Steam Generators

9. CIP and SIP Skids and Components

10. Autoclave and Isolation Barriers

11. Vessels and Tanks

12. Fermenters and Bio-reactors

Vapor Degreasing

2009-09-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

A solution for virtually every metal surface cleaning needs.

From advanced cleaning processes to basic ones; Passivation services company, Astro Pak can support your requirements. Their cost-effective cleaning alternative is called vapor degreasing. Measuring 48" x 24" x 24", their vapor degreaser's cleaning chamber is sized to handle most parts requiring degreasing. The unit is also equipped with a manual spray wand for spraying liquid solvent directly onto stubborn soils.

Astro Pak Capabilities

· On-site and In-house Services

· Oxygen Cleaning

· Precision Cleaning

· Pickling and Passivation

· Disinfection/Sanitization

· High-Velocity Flushing

· Pipeline Pigging

Standards Met

· ASTM D6368-06

· ASTM D3698-04

· Client Protocol Specifications

For more about vapor degreasing and how it works, please visit Astro Pak’s learning center.

Current Methodologies & Chemistries Utilized In Effective Passivation Procedures

2009-08-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Chemical cleaning and passivation treatments on stainless steel tubing and equipment are an important aspect in the preparation of surfaces used in corrosive and critical environments. The formation of a higher chromium to iron (Cr/Fe) ratio in the passivate layer will result in improved corrosion resistance and lowered rates of iron oxide formation (rouge). Clean process and transfer system surfaces are required to maintainpurity of processes and products. A corrosion resistant surface insures continuous fluidquality with a lack of impurities generated at the stainless steel surface.

The importance of chemical cleaning and passivation of stainless steel has been documented by others in past publications.1,2 The formation of an inert surface is the goal for passivate techniques. Comparative results of various combined chelant processes in addition to nitric acid and electropolished surfaces will be presented. Stainless steel surfaces were treated and then tested with Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis ("ESCA") and Auger Electron Spectroscopy ("AES") procedures to determine improvements in surface chemistry.

Pickling and passivation results from the formation of a chemically inert surface, which maximizes corrosion resistance. The anodic oxide/hydroxide film is very thin (10 to 50 Angstroms "Å") and high in chromium oxide. Removal of contaminants is critical to the life of the passive layer and the reduction of corrosion. Thus, the benefits of the passivate surface are the increased corrosion protection and contaminant free surface leading to improved system life and purity of process fluids. There exist many physical parameters important in the measurement of a corrosion resistant surface including: surface area (roughness), oxide layer depth, chromium to iron ratio and surface contaminant inclusions. Periodic system inspections and performance of precision cleaning and passivation are required to insure maintenance of the passive layer.

Initial passivation of stainless systems is dictated by a need to repair the activated areas of all welds, as shown by recent research,3 and the need to insure an improved corrosion resistant surface throughout the system. Chemical cleaning and passivation removes the adsorbed and included contaminants that provide sites for pitting corrosion as well as iron, which will evolve into rouge formation.

Pickling and Passivation

2009-07-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

ap3wbc28eu Do it with excellence or not at all.

From creating a Defect Resolution & Root Cause Analysis Program with a goal of 100% defect-free service quality and performance to having a dedicated Safety Director ensuring safety compliance and advancing a culture of accident prevention, every decision made is made with excellence in mind. Why? Because excellence is standard - a standard never compromised. Every element that affects customers' experience needs to withstand the demands of excellence, right down to the valves and hoses purchased. After all, when your goal is to deliver a service experience not found anywhere else, sometimes the smallest details could have the most profound effects.

What is Passivation?

Passivation of austenitic stainless steel surfaces has been practiced on high purity water systems for many years, and is generally defined as the removal of iron and iron compounds from the surface to improve the passive film and increase corrosion resistance. The surface chemistry, structure and related corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel is affected by mechanical polishing, welding, and most fabrication techniques. Nitric passivation reduces or eliminates this damage while forming a more corrosion resistant passive film high in chromium oxide

Astro Pak Capabilities

Pickling and Passivation
Ultra Pass® (Citric Acid Chelant) Passivate of Stainless Steel
Nitric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel and Other Alloys Precision Cleaning

Passivation Theory of Austenitic Stainless Steel

2009-06-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

Stainless steel surfaces are rendered passivation by the formation of a surface film that is a “barrier” to corrosion. According to nitric acid passivation specialist, this “barrier” establishes a very slow, controlled equilibrium of anion and cation diffusion across it. The passive layer consists primarily of chromium oxides, hydroxides and iron compounds, which form on the outermost surface of the metal phase. Initial passive layer establishment is achieved through chemical treatments, which remove foreign inclusions and metal reactive metal ions.

This treatment enhances the effective concentration of chromium, nickel and molybdenum (in case of the 316-grade stainless steel) at the surface of the metal phase. Through an unknown mechanism, these three metals together affect the creation of a more homogenous chromium oxide / iron oxide passive layer. The uniformity and stability of film will vary depending upon the method of treatment. Passive layer thickness and stability is critical to system longevity and product purity.

Astro Pak Ultra Pass® Passivation Capabilities

On-site and In-house Services
Ultra Pass® Citric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel
Nitric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel and Other Alloys
Pickling and Passivation
Cleaning and Passivation for Pre-Commissioning, Maintenance, Planned Shutdown and Emergency Outage Projects
Professional Consulting

Perfecting Chelant Passivation

2009-05-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

You may have heard of Ultra Pass® passivation. With over 50 years of scientific research behind it, I’d be surprised if you haven't. To chemists, the idea seemed simple: Produce high surface chromium levels creating the best corrosion resistant passivate surface. Through extensive research and development, chemists were able to find the optimal citric acid chelant process, Ultra Pass® and CGA G-4.1 to bring it out of the labs and into the field.

But it didn't stop there. Understanding that field conditions and project requirements can vary considerably, Ultra Pass® was created with built-in versatility for needs requiring individualized solutions. It is through ongoing lab research that chemists are able to continue the heritage of delivering the most advanced passivation processes today and into the future.

Astro Pak Capabilities

On-site and In-house Services
Ultra Pass® Citric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel
Nitric Acid Passivation of Stainless Steel and Other Alloys
Pickling and Passivation
Cleaning and Passivation for Pre-Commissioning, Maintenance, Planned Shutdown and Emergency Outage Projects
Professional Consulting

Ultra Pass® Passivation Benefits

Drastically improves surface chemistry
Restores and protects vulnerable weld and Heat Affected Zones from corrosion
Exceeds the SEMI F19-95 Cr/Fe, CrO/FeO ratios
More effective treatment than electropolishing on intricate paths
Green (eco-friendly) process

Part and System Cleaning Experience

WFI (Water for Injection)
Pure Steam and Clean Steam
Reverse Osmosis
De-ionized Water
High Purity Gas and Vacuum
Product and Process
Pure Steam Generators
CIP and SIP Skids and Components
Autoclave and Isolation Barriers
Vessels and Tanks
Fermenters and Bio-reactors

Standards Met

CGA G-4.1
ASTM A967
ASTM A380 Client Protocol Specifications

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Passivation Technology

2009-04-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

What is passivation? Passivation is the chemical treatment process by which the electrochemical condition of passivity is obtained on the surface of metal alloys. Passivity as it relates to austenitic stainless steel is the state in which chemical reactivity is minimized under special environmental conditions, such as the metal exhibits a very low corrosion rate.

Pickling (non-selective removal of surface contaminates) and passivation (selective removal of surface iron) using citric acid passivation, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfamic acid and hydrofluoric acid on various stainless steel alloys following the methods and chemistries defined in ASTM A380, ASTM A967, QQP-35-D. It is necessary to passivate stainless steel utilized in corrosive or reactive environments prior to operational use to ensure long term service.

In reactive environments such as those present in liquid and gaseous chlorine and oxygen, it s imperative that weld slag and other contaminates formed during cutting and welding are removed prior to operational use. As the leading service provider, companies like Astro Pak not only provides pickling and passivation services but also performs chemical precsion cleaning passivation services to achieve the desired clean and passive services carbon steel systems.

High Purity Cleaning and Passivation by Astro Pak Corporation, a Feature of “Industry Today” on Industrialinfo.com

2009-03-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

SUGAR LAND, TX (MARKET WIRE) –

Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) will host Astro Pak Corporation (Costa Mesa, California) as its special guest today as part of this week’s “Industry Today” web cast. Astro Pak is a world leader in precision cleaning passivation and Ultra Pass(R) passivation of high purity gas and fluid systems, offering the highest level of applied technology for these services. High purity cleaning and Ultra Pass(R) passivation is an integral part of system preparation and maintenance to ensure manufacturing success and quality.

Astro Pak’s Clean Room Precision Cleaning Passivation Technology division employs an assortment of precision cleaning processes and procedures such as ultrasonic cleaning processes, such as ultrasonic cleaning, oxygen cleaning, citric acid and nitric acid passivation, non-volatile residue cleaning, high pressure spray and temperature vacuum bake-out. Their Shop Chemical Cleaning Technology division performs acid pickling, oxygen cleaning, high purity cleaning and Ultra Pass(R) passivation, citric acid passivation and nitric acid passivation among other services.

The processes and procedures of Astro Pak meet or exceed industry standards such as ASTMA-967 and ASTMA-380. Astro Pak has been precision cleaning and passivating high purity stainless steel systems and components since 1959 and works with all clients to offer customized solutions to their unique needs with the goal of not just meeting but exceeding their expectations. Astro Pak is prepared to mobilize its resources for onsite services for precision cleaning on systems and passivate equipment and components of all sizes. The company believes that synergism of technical knowledge, logistical mobility, superior equipment and a dedicated and experienced staff will provide each project owner with the highest economic return.

Join Daryl Roll, Chief Technology Officer of Astro Pak, with the host of Industry Today to hear more about Astro Pak’s commitment to superior service and quality.

Industry Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information service specializing in industrial process, energy and financial related markets with products and services ranging from industry news, analytics, forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia services. For more information, visit us online at: www.industrialinfo.com

Passivation Methodology

2009-02-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

What is Passivation? Passivation is “the removal of exogenous iron or iron compounds from the surface of a stainless steel by means of a chemical dissolution, mosttypically by a treatment withan acid solution that will remove the surface contaminationbut will not significantly affect the stainless steel itself.” In addition, it also describes passivationas “the chemical treatment of a stainless steel with a mild oxidant, such as a nitric acid solution, for the purpose of enhancing the spontaneous formation of the protective passive film.”

Passivation: ASTM 316L stainless steel electro-polished sanitary tubing was used as the substrate. A series of orbital welds were made on a single lot of 1-inch (in) tubing by a single operator using a single welder at constant settings. The reason for the use of a single lot of tubing, as well as welds made in one session by the same operator using the same welder at identical settings, was to control for unmeasured variables that could possibly tend to confound data analysis. After welding, the tubing was then sectioned, using a cold-cut technique. Cold cutting was again used to control for unmeasured changes in surface chemistry that could be caused by heating of the welds during the cutting operation. Samples of the weld, approximately 1/2 –in by 3/8 –in, were created and identified by engraving an alphanumeric identifier on the outer diameter of the samples. Five samples, labeled W70 through W74, were cleaned with a heated alkaline cleaning process.

These non-passivation samples were then individually packaged in clean room grade polyethylene bags. The second set of five samples, labeled W60 through W64, was cleaned with a heated alkaline cleaning process. The set was then passivated at ambient temperature using the gelled Citric acid passivation agent for 120 minutes. The third set of five samples, labeled W65 through W69, was cleaned with a heated alkaline cleaning process. This final set was then passivated at ambient temperature using the gelled citric passivation agent for 240 minutes.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Passivation Techniques

2009-01-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

Astro Pak performs on-site chemical cleaning as well as pickling (non-selective removal of surface contaminates or "etching") and passivation (selective removal of surface iron) using citric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfamic acid or hydrofluoric acid on various stainless steel alloys following the methods and chemistries defined in ASTM A380 and ASTM A967. To ensure longevity and productivity, it is necessary to passivate stainless steel utilized in corrosive or reactive environments. Astro Pak has over 48 years of experience in providing pickling and passivation services to the Aerospace, Petroleum, Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical and Biotech, Power Generation, Hydraulic, and Water and Wastewater treatment Industries. In addition to our pickling and passivation services, our on-going R&D program continually formulates and tests new chemistries to achieve better chromium to iron ratios in stainless steel, thus improving its corrosion resistance.

Astro Pak also provides passivation of systems fabricated of carbon steel. In reactive environments such as those present in liquid and gaseous chlorine and oxygen, it is imperative that weld slag and other contaminates formed during cutting and welding are removed prior to operational use. As the leading service provider, Astro Pak not only provides pickling and passivation services, but also performs chemical cleaning services to achieve the desired clean and passive surfaces in carbon steel systems. We utilize various acids and other chemical cleaning processes with their respective Rodine inhibitors including citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid or sulfamic acid as required by our customer's specifications.

Passivation Technology

2009-01-02T04:01:00.000-08:00

Passivation of austenitic stainless steel surfaces has been practiced on high purity water systems for many years, and is generally defined as the removal of iron and iron compounds from the surface to improve the passive film and increase corrosion ressistance. The surface chemistry, structure and related corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel is affected by mechanical polishing, welding, and most fabrication techniques.

Nitric passivation reduces or eliminateds this damage while forming a more corrosion resistant passive film high in chromium oxide. There have been many technical papers that have presented evidence on effectiveness of passivation and especially for the benefits of citric passivation chelant processes (1-4). Weld areas produce relatively high corrosion rates unless treated and repaired by chemical passivation.

Most high-purity water systems are passivated with the technique of circulating heated alkaline cleaning and citric acid passivation chemistries as described in other reference documents (4). The technique of gel nitric .0passivation of welds has been performed for more than 50 years. Citric acid has been used for this treated type in recent years. Published data to confirm citric-based gel’s effectiveness of passivation on the weld area at ambient conditions as compared to nitric acid passivation gel systems is not readily available.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Surface Chemistry Improvement: on 316L Stainless Steel Weld Zones Using a Gelled Citric Acid-Based Passivation Agent

2008-12-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

This article examines a study to determine the efficacy of a gel-based citric acid chelant passivation agent on welds and heat-affected zones. Questions regarding this type of passivation arise from data development in experiments using commercially available citric acid solutions, which demonstrate that elevated temperatures are necessary for adequate passivation of weld areas to occur when citric acide is the primary passivation agent. Citric acid passivation gel processes use ambient temperatures for practical reasons (such as the tendency for the gel to liquefy at elevated temperatures). As elevated temperatures are not seen in the citric acid gel-based processes, some in the pharmaceutical industry question the efficacy of these citric acid gel-based nitric passivation procedures, as the process temperatures are necessary. In this study, we compared the original weld surface chemistry to the passivated weld surface chemistry after treatment with a gelled citric passivation acid-based agent for 2 and 4 hours as well as to the nitric passivated well surface chemistry obtained after treatment with a standard solution-based nitric acid passivation treatment.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information

2008-11-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

Precision cleaning and passivating high purity stainless steel systems

2008-11-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

With global warming being a worldwide issue it is important to keep up with on-site services that includes precision cleaning, passivation, oxygen cleaning, nitric passivation and component cleaning that meet or exceed industry and client specifications. “Precision cleaning: means removal of particulate and/or other inorganic and organic residues from a surface and verifying its cleanliness through analytical methods. These methods are typically defined by a Facility Owner, Enginerring Firm or Industries such as Aerospace and Defense, Semiconductor, Gas Manufacturing (i.e liquid and gaseous nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, etc.), citric acid passivation, Power Generation, Hydraulics, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Chemical Manufacturing, citric passivation and many others.

Each client may have their own or industry surface cleanliness requirements vary from standard “Oxygen Cleaning” per CGA G-4.1 for liquid and gaseous oxygen service, to the very stringent 83 A/10 per IEST 1246D requirements at the "National Ignition Facility's" large laser system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. As the leading service provider, Astro Pak’s precision cleaning processes and procedures enhance corrosion resistance of systems, equipment and components by a 2:1 chromium to iron ratio or better. Besides these precision cleaning processes, nitric acid passivation and procedures, Astro Pak also has the capabilities to perform precision cleaning of components, piping, vessels and more in a clean room environment and in any one of our shop facilities. We are strategically positioned worldwide to service your precision cleaning as well as other component needs.

High Purity Cleaning and Ultra Pass Passivation: Protection against Contamination

2008-10-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Precision cleaning, Citric passivation and Ultra Pass passivation of high purity gas and fluid systems treat and improves the surface condition of stainless steel by dissolving iron that has been imbedded in the surface during forming or machining.

Precision cleaning companies are committed to providing their clients with the level of excellence they expect and deserve. High purity cleaning and Ultra Pass passivation is an integral part of system preparation and maintenance. They believe the synergism of technical knowledge, logistical mobility, superior equipment and a dedicated field experienced staff will provide Owner with the highest economic return. Furthermore, their processes and procedures meet or exceed Industry Standards such as ASTM A-967 and ASTM A-380.

Passivation is the chemical treatment process by which the electrochemical condition of passivity is obtained on the surface of metal alloys. Passivity as it relates to austenitic stainless steel is the state in which chemical reactivity is minimized under special environmental conditions, such that the metal exhibits a very low corrosion rate.

Astro Pak has been precision cleaning and passivating high purity stainless steel systems and components since 1959. The processes they carry out when they passivate include citric acid based or nitric acid based chemistries depending on customer specifications and industry standards.

Services Include:
1. Pre-operational alkaline cleaning
2. Citric Acid passivation of stainless steel
3. Nitric Acid passivation of stainless steel and other alloys
4. Preventative maintenance high purity cleaning and Nitric passivation
5. Derouging of fouled piping and equipment
6. Sanitization of process and utility piping
7. Particulate flushing of pre-operational construction debris
8. Biofilm and organic deposits removal

Testing Includes:
1. Iron dissolution testing
2. Conductivity rinseate testing
3. Temperature, flow and PH monitoring
4. Water quality

The ability to passivate components utilizing the Ultra Pass ® passivation process meets industry standards and provides the best solution for service expectations.

Who is Astropak?

With a staff over 140, and service centers worldwide, Astro Pak has the capability to perform in-house or onsite high purity cleaning and Ultra Pass passivation for the following systems:
1. Water for Injection
2. Pure Steam
3. Reverse Osmosis
4. De-ionized Water
5. High Purity Gas and Vacuum
6. Product and Process
7. WFI Stills
8. Pure Steam Generators
9. CIP and SIP Skids and Components
10. Autoclave and Isolation Barriers
11. Vessels and Tanks
12. Fermenters and Bio-reactors

Equipment Used
pH meter
Conductivity Meter
Hach Colorimeter
480v. Passivation pump skid with filtration, flow control, heat exchanger, temperature and flow gauges, and mix tank.
Teflon-lined, stainless steel encased hoses
Temporary stainless steel tubing

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.