Passivation is the process of making a material "passive" in relation to another material prior to using the materials together. Using a different combination of chemicals for different metals the part is submerged and "super-cleaned" with this process. Surface iron and or iron compounds such as rust are completely removed by dissolution. In the context of corrosion, passivation is the spontaneous formation of a hard non-reactive surface film that inhibits further corrosion. This layer is usually an oxide or nitride that is a few atoms thick.

Last updated on May 13, 2009 by Chilco