During fabrication of stainless steel, the surface of stainless steel wrought products undergoes major changes, including mechanical (eg. gouges, grinding marks) iron contamination, effects due to welding, and general surface contamination. Various surface treatments, both mechanical and chemical, are performed in order to improve the appearance and/or improve the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel.

A literature review has been made to compare mechanical to chemical treatments, and to see if any particular chemical treatment is more effective. Chemical surface treatments seem to be always better than mechanical treatments. Various pickling acids seem to give basically similar results. Surface finish also plays a role. Much of the laboratory testing is likely of questionable value in practice. Some suggestions for further study are included.

Subject
Surface finishing, Steel surfaces, Pickling, Corrosion initiation, Surface treatments, Crevice corrosion, Pitting, Corrosion resistance, Stainless steel, Steel grit, Corrosion potential, Chemical treatment, Inclusions
© 1990 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1990
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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