Passivation is Essential for Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that is resistant to rusting and corrosion. It is also known as rustles steel or corrosion-resistant steel. It contains at minimum of 10.5 % chromium and usually nickel, and may also contain other elements, such as carbon, to obtain the desired properties. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion results from the chromium, which forms a passive film that can protect the material and self-heal in the presence of oxygen.

The biological cleanability of stainless steel is superior to both aluminum and copper, and comparable to glass. Its cleanability, strength, and corrosion resistance have prompted the use of stainless steel in pharmaceutical and food processing plants. This is the reason why stainless steel is the ideal material for all brewing equipment.

Passivation is coating a material so that it becomes "passive", that is, less readily affected or corroded by the environment. During passivation an outer layer of shield material is created as a micro-coating, created by chemical reaction with the base material, or allowed to build by spontaneous oxidation in the air. As a technique, passivation is the use of a light coat of a protective material, such as metal oxide, to create a protective shield against corrosion.

What happens during the passivation? What methods of passivation are available and what are the advantages and disadvantages? What tests are possible to ensure a solid passivation layer? These questions and more will be answered in the presentation.

Oliver is the Technical Director of the Brewing Division and consultant for Zee Loeffler. He studied at the University of Munich, graduating with a Dipl.-Ing. degree in Brewing Science at the Berlin Institute of Technology where he received his second Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. He spent 7 years at the VLB (Research and Teaching Institute for Brewing in Berlin) as a Project Manager followed by 7 years at the Berlin Institute of Technology as an Assistant Professor. He is in his current position for 12 years. He is a current member of the MBAA Higher Education Committee and the Vice-President of the MBAA-District Mid-South.

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