Stainless Steel Products Care and Maintenance

1. Introduction
2. Suggested Procedures
     a. Metal Surface Conditioner
     b. Passivation
     c. Neutralizing Solution For Acidic Pickling Paste
3. On Going Maintenance
4. Disclaimer

1. Introduction

The care of Stainless Steel installations is important and is an ongoing requirement as it is with maintaining your silverware, your automobile or boat.

Stainless Steel is an alloy with many compositions and available in various grades suited to end use and atmospheric conditions.

Assuming that the installation has been carried out in accordance with the specifications and that the specifier has competently called up the correct grades of material and appropriate standards for the works the following finishing procedure should be undertaken.

Passivate all welded or fabricated joints

Apply metalprep

Wipe on pasivator over entire area

Neutralize all worked areas

Wash down with clean water

The Ongoing maintenance requirements differ depending on the severity of atmospheric conditions, proximity to Marine environment, Industrial airborne pollution zoning, weather shelter.

The harshest atmospheric pollution is in the form of sulfur oxides and acid rail fall out from heavily built up industrial areas and near airports or the coast.

The simplest form of maintenance is to clean down the installation with mild dish washing detergent weekly. This combats the build up of pollution but may not be the only care required.

Notes:

Most Stainless Steel installations call for a 'satin finish' which is finish grading refers to a grit of 240 to 360 grit. The finer the grit (the higher number) the less occurrence of pollution or grime will occur due to the "pores" in the grain being smaller and therefore cannot house any pollution build up.

Polishing mediums, Linishing belts and grinding/cutting discs may contain ferrous compounds in the make up of the grit surface. All fabrications and specifications must be aware that non ferrous components must only be used on Stainless Steel

2. Suggested Procedure For New Installations And Refurbishment Of Heavily Affected Existing Installations:

a. Metal Surface Conditioner

Description: Propriety Name: METAPREP 1

Callington Haven Metaprep 1 is an exceptionally versatile liquid acid cleaner and metal conditioner. Metaprep has been primarily designed for the aircraft industry to treat corrosion on steel and aluminium and its alloys.

Callington Haven Metaprep 1 is most often used on aircraft after paint stripping to prepare the surface for repainting by:

Characteristics:

Directions For Use:

Callington Haven Metaprep 1 has many uses and can he applied in several ways, some of these are listed below.

Spray Application: Mix 1 part of Callington Haven MetaPrep 1 with 3 to 4 parts of water at room temperature. Spray onto surface with airless or syphon system. Some brushing of the surface will assist with removal of corrosion and difficult areas.

The surface should be kept wet with the solution until the soil is gone. Rinse the surface; warm water is preferable.

Hand Wipe Application: Mix 1 part of Callington Haven Metaprep 1 with 1 to 3 parts of room temperature water. Depending on the amount of corrosion, a cloth saturated with solution or brush can be used to apply the product. Again, gentle scrubbing will speed corrosion and soil removal. Rinse surface with either cold or warm water.

Dip Application: Mix 1 part Callington Haven Metaprep 1 with 3 to 4 parts of room temperature water. Parts should be for 3 to 10 minutes. Again rinse with either warm or cold water.

Caution:

This product contains mild acid and should not be used on high strength steels or magnesium.

Callinston Haven Metaprep I is made from Phosphoric Acid.

Avoid contact with skin, and eyes and avoid prolonged breathing of the vapor.

Protective clothing such as gloves and goggles should be worn when handling these products.

b. Passivation

Description: Propriety Name: S - WELD PASSIVATOR S-Weld

Passivator is a powerful oxidizing gel for the passivation of stainless steel fabricated products.
S-Weld Passivator can be used following pickling, grinding or mechanical polishing of stainless steel to ensure a passive surface is obtained prior to installation or commissioning of the final product.

Physical Properties:

Appearance Thick white translucent gel mixes with water Oxidizing agent
Specific Gravity: 1.20
Water Solubility: Miscible
pH (as supplied): <1.0

Benefits:

Directions For Use:

Clean the area to be treated with a solvent cleaner such as Callington Prosol or equivalent

Stir the gel to ensure a smooth consistency and apply S-Weld Passivator using an acid resistant brush

Leave the gel on the surface for 1 to 6 hours depending in the grade of stainless steel to he treated to suit the nature of the environment for which the fabricated item will be subjected

To remove the gel, rinse thoroughly with water or Callington S-Weld Neutralizer, neutralizing solution

Caution:

Wear PVC gloves, goggles, overalls and safety boots. Wear a respirator if working in a confided or poorly ventilated area.

Avoid spillage's and do not allow gel to come in contact with the body or eyes. Avoid breathing vapors.

c. Neutralizing Solution For Acidic Pickling Paste

Description: Propriety Name: S - WELD NEUTRALIZER S-Weld

Neutralizer is an alkaline solution for the neutralization of acidic pickling waste. It contains in built pH indicator to provide a visual color change when neutralization of spent acidic waste has been completed.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Dark pink alkaline liquid, mixes with water
Specific gravity: 1.14 - 1.16
Solubility in water: Miscible
pH: 12.0 ~ 0.5

Benefits:

S-Weld Neutralizer allows users of pickling paste and other acidic metal treatment products to comply with pH requirements of trade waste water regulating authorities.

Directions For Use:

Neutralization of retained acidic waste For every litre of spent pickling waste, add approximately 1.7 litres of S-Weld Neutralizer. The S-Weld Neutralizer on contact with the spent acid waste will go clear, keep on adding S-Weld Neutralizer solution until a faint pink coloration exist. If neutralization has not occurred with the initial dosage, then add additional quantities of S - Weld Neutralizer at 100ml per litre of waste until color change is observed.

Direct spraying Spray the S -Weld Neutralizer solution directly onto the pickling paste until all waste liquid has changed from a clear white solution to a faint pink color.

Caution:

Avoid contact with skin or eyes.

3. On Going Maintenance

The on going maintenence required will depend on the atmospheric conditions.

But general as follows:

Metalprep - Diluted 1:5 water. Wipe on using a cloth. Allow to sit for 10 mins.
Neutralize - Diluted 1:2 water. Wipe on using a cloth. Allow to sit for 5 mins.
Water rinse. Thoroughly wash off all area including adjustcent surfaces of over spray.

You may find that the above procedure is not required so offen and that a single household detergent wash and rinse every so offen is sufficient.

4. DISCLAIMER

The contents of this page and any other information, product guides, recommendations, procedural guides, and references to compositions, chemical formula, Material Data Sheets or cross reference information whether originating from the author or derived from excerpts is provided in good faith and without acceptance of any liability of the Provider or its Agents. All statements, information and data presented herein are believed to be accurate and reliable but are not guaranteed, expressed or implied.