Passivation Solution For Aerospace Parts

Chemical treatment solution achieved with nitric or citric acid. Perfect for critical corrosion-resistant aircraft parts that must withstand harsh environments. AeroCNCParts Offers advanced passivation service of your parts.

What it is

Passivation – Controlled Chemical Treatment for Corrosion Resistance Parts

Passivation enhances corrosion resistance in stainless steel and reactive metals by removing contaminants and forming a protective oxide layer. With traceability and CMM inspection, AeroCNCParts ensures aerospace-grade reliability and industry-standard compliance for every treated component.

  • Dimensional Note:

    The passivation process maintains part integrity with a slight dimensional change, typically under 0.002 to 0.005mm, ensuring tight tolerance and full compliance with AS9100 standards.

Benefits

Why Choose Our Passivation

Enhanced Corrosion Resistance

Forms a protective layer on stainless steel, ensuring long-term resistance in harsh aerospace environments.

Improved Part Longevity

Extends parts’ lifespan by minimising corrosion and oxidation, reducing maintenance and replacement frequency.

High Precision Compatibility

Passivation doesn’t alter dimensional tolerances, maintaining the ±0.005mm precision required for aerospace parts.

Optimised for Critical Applications

Essential for mission-critical components like connectors and housing that are exposed to corrosive conditions.

Improved Surface Finish

Enhances adhesion for coatings like alodine, ensuring superior finishing and consistent performance

Supports Full Traceability

Integrated with Lot control, FAI, and CMM reporting to ensure complete documentation and quality assurance.

Technical Specs

Passivation Service Specs

Acid type and concentration

Precise control of nitric or citric acid concentration ensures removal of free iron while maintaining metal integrity.

Temperature Control

Stable bath temperature typically 21 – 71 degrees Celsius

Immersion Time

Controlled exposure time provides thorough passivation while protecting against over-etching of parts

Additives

Certain nitric methods use sodium dichromate accelerators, enhancing film formation and requiring strict safety controls

Alloy Materials

Stainless steel 304, 316 and 17-4PH require tailored passivation formulas to prevent etching.

Standards

All processes adhere to AS9100D, ISO 9001, FAI, Lot control, etc.

Etch/Pitting Control

Parameters are carefully managed to prevent etching or pitting which could compromise aerospace part reliability.

Pre Cleaning

Removal of machining oils, debris is important for effective oxide development during passivation.

Case

Key Aerospace Use Cases

  • Fuel Metering Valves

    High-precision turning ensuring burr-free fluid control surfaces.

    Stainless Steel 440C, 17-4 PH
  • Structural Locking Pins

    Swiss machined shafts requiring high corrosion and fatigue resistance.

    17-4 PH, PH13-8Mo, A-286
  • Sensor Housings

    Thin-wall turning protecting sensitive electronics in harsh environments.

    Stainless Steel 304L, 316L, 303
Case

Compare Before and After Passivation

Before
After
Quality & Compliance

Quality Assurance and Process Traceability

  • AS9102 FAI compliant for NPI & Revisions
  • Certified test reports for Salt Spray & Surface Iron Removal.
  • 100% tracking of Lot ID, Bath Chemistry, & Process Parameters.
AS9100D

Aerospace-aligned quality system

ISO 9001

Documented and auditable processes

Applications

Typical Applications for Aerospace Passivation

Fuel System Fittings

Corrosion-resistant fittings ensure safe, long-term fuel and fluid handling

Corrosion Resistance

Landing Gear Fasteners

Durable fasteners maintain strength and reliability under heavy aerospace loads

Heavy Load Bearing

Engine Mount Brackets

Strong brackets resist surface degradation under vibration and thermal stress.

Thermal Resistance

Avionics Connectors

Protected connectors housing ensures stable electrical performance in harsh environments.

Signal Integrity
Compare Finishes

Choosing the Right Passivation for Your Part

Type Chemistry Used Material Compatibility Process Control Purpose
Nitric Acid Passivation Nitric acid with dichromate Most stainless steels; may etch free machining grades Tight control of time, temp, and concentration Traditional, proven corrosion protection
Citric Acid Passivation Citric acid, biodegradable Wide stainless alloy compatibility Easier, stable control Eco-friendly, equal protection
Electrochemical Passivation Acid bath with electrical current Stainless steels, select alloys Precise voltage control Faster, uniform oxide layer
Proprietary / Modified Custom blends, nitric-free options Alloy- or customer-specific Customized per formulation Optimized for aerospace/medical needs
FAQ

Passivation FAQs

Common Questions on Passivation for Precision Parts

Does passivation change part dimensions?
No, it's a non-dimensional treatment that preserves the original precision of components
Which materials benefit most from passivation?
Stainless steel and corrosion-resistant alloys gain improved durability and surface stability.
How long does passivation protection last?
Protection is long-term, provided the component is used within the intended environments.
Can AeroCNCParts handle machining and passivation in one workflow?
Yes, we integrate machining and finishing, reducing lead times while maintaining quality and precision.