Not a good idea at all. The various levels of passivating start at 30%
nitric acid at room temp and work their way up in both percentage and
temp. Mean stuff. The solution gets contaminated quickly and disposal is
all HAZMAT.

DeepDiver wrote:
"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
...

The harsh reality is that all 300 series stainless has the potential
to rusts to some degree unless it has been passivated. One of the
certified MIL processes is to soak the material in a heated solution
of nitric acid, distilled water and potassium (di)chromate for a
given period of time, which removes the free iron.



Is this passivating process something that could easily be done in a home
shop?

- Michael