Nadcap certified passivation is an important part of the process of improving the requisite corrosion resistance for many parts and components that are made of stainless steel. This is the process that creates the difference between premature failure and excellent performance. Many nadcap metal finishing companies will always ensure that they adhere to the required standards such as nadcap certified passivation since you only need a small mistake and the process of corrosion will be induced. Passivation is basically a post-fabrication process that is employed in order to enhance the corrosion resistance levels of any stainless steel alloy from which parts or components are produced; it is neither a scale removal treatment nor simply applying a coat of paint.
In the nadcap certified passivation process, a citric or nitric acid solution is used in the process of removing iron on the surface as well as any other known or unknown contaminants that can easily cause corrosion in a stainless steel component. The parts are usually cleaned thoroughly to remove any traces of oil and other organics before they can be introduced to the acid solution. There are large amounts of materials that are normally removed throughout the passivation process so that only chrome is left on the surface that oxidizes in order to create a thin film of passive chrome oxide. Nadcap gold electroplating is normally used among the more common scenarios where this kind of certification is normally demanded by those in this business.
Any process that can be sued to alter or even change parts of materials as well as it physical integrity by the introduction of stress using a mechanical, thermal or chemical operation is a very special process. These processes are normally controlled and regulated and are supposed to be validated in order to ensure that there are no risks of a deficiency during the process. This is the reason why special processes such as the nadcap certified passivation are normally certified by a different body instead of the company that does the process itself; this is especially important where components that are used in the aerospace industry are involved. All passivation process are certified by the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)