ASTM A380/A380M
ASTM A380 is a set of recommendations and guidelines for cleaning, descaling and passivating stainless steel parts and equipment. The processes outlined within are essential when there is a need to remove surface contaminants that may negatively affect the corrosion resistance of parts and equipment, or to prevent future contamination of parts and products.
ASTM A380 Recommended Procedures:
- Cleaning
- his covers the removal of grease, oil, paint, soil, grit and other contaminants used during the manufacturing process.
- Here, at Ultraclean Midwest our cleaning solution consists of immersion, spraying or swabbing with an alkaline cleaner.
- Descaling
- Descaling consists of the removal of oxide films resulting from hot-forming, heat-treatment, welding and other high-temperature operations.
- Per the ASTM A380, we offer Acid Pickling in a nitric-hydrofluoric bath. When parts are too large to fit in our baths we can also use this method by swabbing or spraying the parts/equipment if so desired. We also offer Mechanical descaling which can consist of sanding or grinding. Other methods of mechanical descaling which we do not offer are bead blasting, power brushing and chipping.
- Passivation
- Once the parts or equipment have been successfully descaled and cleaned, they may then be passivated in accordance with ASTM A380 or in accordance with ASTM A967/A967M if the customer desires.
- Passivation treatment removes free iron from the surface and enhances the chromium oxide layer to improve corrosion resistance. We currently maintain a nitric acid bath; however passivation may also be achieved with citric acid as well.
- Inspection and Testing Post Passivation
- All parts and equipment that have been processed at Ultraclean Midwest will be visually inspected by qualified personnel to ensure that the result meets the customers’ desired outcome and specifications.
- Customers may also request a testing method(s) and verified documentation to ensure that the items have been properly cleaned and passivated in accordance with the ASTM A380 or the ASTM A967 standard. We offer copper sulfate testing, black light inspection and the water-break test when requested. Other testing methods include water-wetting, and high-humidity testing which can be conducted with outside testing laboratories.
Closing:
The ASTM A380/A380M provides recommended practices for cleaning, descaling and passivation of parts and process components. Industries and applications that this standard is essential to are:
- Pharmaceutical
- Food and Beverage processing equipment
- Medical components
- Aerospace
- Marine applications
- Any other industry that desires clean corrosion resistant components