Passivation is the process of making a material "passive" in relation to another material prior to using the materials together. For example, prior to storing
hydrogen peroxide in an
aluminium container, the container can be passivated by rinsing it with a dilute solution of
nitric acid and peroxide alternating with
deionized water. The nitric acid and peroxide
oxidizes and dissolves any impurities on the inner surface of the container, and the deionized water rinses away the acid and oxidized impurities. Another typical passivation process of cleaning stainless steel tanks involves cleaning with NaOH and citric acid followed by nitric acid (up to 20
t 120F) and a complete water rinse. This process will restore the film, remove metal particles, dirt, and welding generated compounds (ex. oxides).
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