Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pickling handbook
Index
FOREWORD
1
1.1
1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.4
1.2.5
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
CLEANING PROCEDURES
Mechanical methods
Grinding
Blasting
Brushing
Summary
3
3
3
3
3
3
2.2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.2.4
Chemical methods
Electropolishing
Pickling
Summary
Passivation and decontamination
4
4
4
5
5
2.3
Choice of method
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
6
6
6
6
7
8
9
3.4
10
4
4.1
4.2
5
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
6.3
10
10
10
12
12
12
13
REFERENCES
14
DISCLAIMER
Inside cover
Foreword
AvestaPolarit is one of the worlds major manufacturers of stainless steel.
The parent companys production of plate, sheet, coils and billets provides
the basis for processing operations by subsidiaries and associated
companies producing piping, fittings and manufactured goods as well as
rod, wire and welding consumables.
The AvestaPolarit Group includes AvestaPolarit Welding , one of
Europes largest producers of welding consumables and pickling products
for stainless steel and special alloys.
In this handbook, AvestaPolarit Welding presents practical methods for
pickling and cleaning stainless steel. Appropriate safety procedures when
handling the products involved are also described.
The aims of this handbook are to provide a generally increased
awareness and understanding of the need for surface treatment of
stainless steel and in particular:
- to explain why stainless steel structures need cleaning after welding and
processing in order to preserve their corrosion resistance,
- to show when cleaning is important through a survey of typical defects,
- to describe how to clean using different cleaning techniques, and
- to give practical recommendations and instructions as to what to do in
order to eliminate typical drawbacks.
2 Cleaning procedures
Different chemical and mechanical methods, and
sometimes a combination of both, can be used to
remove the defects mentioned. Generally, cleaning
based on chemical methods can be expected to
produce superior results since most effective
mechanical methods tend to produce a rougher
surface whilst chemical cleaning methods reduce the
risk of surface contamination. Local regulations in
respect of environmental and industrial safety as well
as waste disposal problems may, however, limit their
application.
Residual slag
Undercut
Tarnish
Organic
Iron
contaminants
contamination
Spatter
Weld metal
Parent material
2.1.2 Blasting
Sand and grit blasting (peening) can be used to
remove high temperature oxide as well as iron
contamination. However, care must be taken to
ensure that the sand (preferably of olivine type) or
grit is perfectly clean. The blasting material must
therefore not have been previously used for carbon
steel; not should the sand or grit be too old, since it
becomes increasingly polluted, even if it has only
been used for blasting contaminated stainless steel
surfaces. The surface roughness is the limiting factor
for these methods. Using low pressure and a small
angle of approach, a satisfactory result can be
achieved for most applications. For the removal of
heat tint, shot peening using smooth glass beads
produces a good surface finish and introduces
compressive stresses which improve stress corrosion
cracking resistance and resistance to fatigue.
2.1.3 Brushing
For the removal of heat tint, brushing using stainless
steel or nylon brushes usually provides a satisfactory
result. These methods do not cause any serious
roughening of the surface, but do not guarantee
complete removal of the chromium-depleted zone.
As regards the other mechanical methods, the risk of
contamination is high, and it is therefore important
that clean tools that have not been used for
processing carbon steels are used.
2.1.4 Summary
A final mechanical cleaning stage following a typical
manufacturing programme could be as follows:
Removal of welding defects by grinding;
Removal of material affected by high temperatures
and, if possible, removal of iron impurities. The
surface must not become unacceptably rough;
Removal of organic contaminants (see section
1.2.5);
A final acid treatment passivation/
decontamination is strongly recommended. A
thorough rinsing with fresh water, preferably using
a high-pressure water jet must follow the acid
treatment. In exceptional cases, however, rinsing by
high-pressure water jet only may suffice as the final
treatment.
International
steel number/name
EN
ASTM
AvestaPolarit
steel name
AvestaPolarit
chemical composition, average %
C
Cr
Ni
1.4301
1.4401
1.4404
1.4571
1.4436
304
316
316L
316Ti
316
1.4362
1.4462
1.4439
1.4539
1.4410
1.4547
1.4652
DIN
SS
Pickleability
Mo
Others
4301
4401
4404
4571
4436
0.04
0.02
0.02
0.04
0.02
18.1
17.2
17.2
16.8
16.9
8.3
10.2
10.2
10.9
10.7
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.6
Ti
1.4301
1.4401
1.4404
1.4571
1.4436
2333
2347
2348
2350
2343
1
2
2
2
2
S32304
S32205
S31726
N08904
SAF 2304
2205
4439
904L
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01
23
22
17.8
20
4.8
5.7
12.7
25
0.3
3.1
4.1
4.3
1.5 Cu
1.4362
1.4462
1.4439
1.4539
2327
2377
2562
3
3
3
3
S32750
S31254
S32654
SAF 2507
254 SMO
654 SMO
0.02
0.01
0.01
25
20
24
7
18
22
4
6.1
7.3
Cu
3.5 Mn, Cu
2328
2378
4
4
4
The steels have been divided into three groups. The pickleability of these steel grades ranges from 1 (very easy) to 4 (very difficult).
SAF 2304 and SAF 2507 are manufactured under licence granted by AB Sandvik Steel.
Grinding
Polishing
Pickling
2.2.3 Summary
A final pickling/cleaning operation following a typical
manufacturing programme could be:
Grinding for removal of defects caused by welding.
It is important that slag is removed after welding.
Removal of organic contamination (section 1.2.5).
Pickling using a bath, paste or solution, possibly in
combination with a careful mechanical treatment to
break oxides.
A thorough rinsing with water, preferably using a
high-pressure water jet.
3.2 PRE-CLEANING/DEGREASING
Organic contaminants such as grease, oil and paint,
and also soil, grit, etc., have to be removed. This can be
done using the product Avesta Cleaner (contains
phosphoric acid), which is sprayed onto the surface to
be pickled using an acid-resistant pump. The Avesta
Spray-Pickle Pump is recommended for this purpose.
Avesta Cleaner provides a mild degreasing effect and
is sufficiently effective in most cases. However,
heavily contaminated surfaces may require a stronger
(non-chlorinated) solvent. Avesta Cleaner also
removes surface rust and brightens the surface. After
the use, the surface must be rinsed with clean water.
The use of a high-pressure water jet supports rinsing
and in some cases can also be an alternative to
chemical products for removing lightly attached
grease, oils and chemical deposits.
The water-break test is a simple way of assessing
the effectiveness of degreasing. See also section 5.1.
3.3 PICKLING
Pickling products can be applied in three different
ways:
Brushing, using a pickling paste/gel
Spraying, using a pickling solution
Immersion in a pickling bath
The different methods are presented on the following
pages.
AvestaPolarit
steel name
Pickling product
4301
4401
4404
4571
4436
120
SAF 2304
2205
4439
904L
SAF 2507
254 SMO
654 SMO
60
40
BlueOne 130
Pickling Gel 122
Pickling Paste 101
2x120*
180
100
BlueOne 130
Pickling Gel 122
Pickling Paste 101
2x180*
270
150
BlueOne 130
AvestaPolarit
steel name
Pickling product
4301
4401
4404
4571
4436
150
SAF 2304
2205
4439
904L
2x140*
SAF 2507
254 SMO
654 SMO
2x200*
75
60
200
120
300
180
BlueOne 230
The pickling was carried out after mechanical pre-treatment of the weld joints
and pre-cleaning using Avesta Cleaner on cold rolled stainless steels with a 2D
finish welded using covered electrodes. These pickling times are experimental
results. The pickling time may vary for the same steel grade depending on the
surface finish and the welding method; on a hot rolled surface, the pickling time
might be increased by 50%, and MIG welds might need longer times than those
obtained using covered electrodes.
AvestaPolarit
steel name
1*
4301
4401
4404
4571
4436
10
2**
SAF 2304
2205
4439
904L
120
90
60
3***
SAF 2507
254 SMO
654 SMO
240
120
90
*
1 part 302 into 3 parts water
** 1 part 302 into 2 parts water
*** 1 part 302 into 1 part water
Pickling was carried out after mechanical pre-treatment of the weld joints and
pre-cleaning using Avesta Cleaner on cold rolled stainless steels with a 2D finish
welded using covered electrodes. These pickling times are experimental results.
The pickling time may vary for the same steel grade depending on the surface
finish and the welding method; on a hot rolled surface, the pickling time may be
increased by 50% and MIG welds may need longer times than those obtained
using covered electrodes.
10
5.2 TROUBLESHOOTING
The inspection of the surface may reveal some
remaining defects. The examples below show the
most common types.
Caused by
Corrective action
Residual weld
oxides
1. Insufficient
cleaning
1. Mechanical pre-treatment/more
intensive pickling
Rough surface
1. Overpickling
2. Intercrystalline corrosion
1. Mechanical treatment/re-pickle
2. Mechanical polishing
Uneven finish
(shading)
Discoloration
1.
2.
3.
4.
Organic contaminants
Uneven application
Sensitive surface
Intercrystalline corrosion
Water stains
1. Contaminated rinse
water
2. Dust
1.
2.
3.
4.
Degrease, re-pickle
Re-pickle
Mechanical polishing improves the result
Mechanical polishing improves the result
Precautions
3. Milder pickling
4. Weld with lower heat input
Use a low carbon or
stabilised grade of steel
2. Work in dust-free
environment
11
12
6.3 STORAGE
Containers of pickling chemicals should be stored
indoors at 20C. They should be kept in an upright
position with the lids tightly closed. The storage area
should be clearly defined and beyond the access of
unauthorised persons. Pickling chemicals are sensitive
to high temperatures.
Caution: Storage temperatures higher than 45C
must be avoided since they accelerate the ageing
process and destroy the product. The longest shelf life
that can be guaranteed for all AvestaPolarit Weldings
standard pickling chemicals is ONE YEAR. Pickling
chemicals are perishable goods. They give the best
pickling result when they are fresh. This means that
they should not be kept on the shelf longer than
necessary, and it is better to buy less each time than
more occasionally. Their composition and pickling
activity alters and decreases with time and heat
exposure. Their stated shelf life is valid for storage
indoors at 20C in an unbroken package with the lid
tightly closed.
All AvestaPolarit Welding pickling products are
delivered in UN-certified, PE containers, which are
approved for hazardous goods. All packages are made
using exclusively recyclable materials.
Figure 8. Personal protection equipment
13
References
1. Avesta Sheffield Corrosion Handbook for
Stainless Steels 1999.
2. Standard Practice for Cleaning and Descaling
Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment and Systems
ASTM A-380.
3. Code of Practice for Cleaning and Preparation of
Metal Surfaces BSI CP 3012.
4. Rahmenvorschrift fr die Oberflchenbehandlung
austenitischer CrNi-Sthle, Chromsthle,
Nickellegierungen, KWU Arbeitsvorschrift
RE-AVS 8.
5. Beizen von nichtrostenden austenitischen
Sthlen, Hoechst AG, Praxis WN 87-0417.
6. Traitement de Surface, Framatome RCCM F-50006000.
7. Cleaning & Maintenance. An Owners Manual for
Stainless Steel in Chemical Tankers by B. Leffler,
AvestaPolarit AB.
14
15
16
Disclaimer
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE
Regarding the use of the tables, graphs and text
contained in this publication, it is well known that the
performance of stainless steel in service can be
profoundly affected by minor changes in such factors
as temperature, acidity, trace elements, condensation,
concentration and velocity of flow. Furthermore,
manufacture, including deforming and joining, and
the skill with which this is carried out may alter
corrosion resistance. Conditions of operation and
maintenance practices can also affect the performance
of a stainless steel. All of these factors are the sole
responsibility of the designer, manufacturer and user
of stainless steel equipment. Accordingly,
AvestaPolarit makes no representations regarding,
and accepts no liability for, the performance of any
stainless steel products of its own production or that
of any producer in any individual application that may
be made based on the information provided in this
publication.
Suggestions for descriptions of the end use of
application of products, or methods of working are for
information only. AvestaPolarit does not warrant that
the information contained in the tables, graphs and
text will meet or conform to any particular application
or that any attempt on your part to follow the text or
use the tables and graphs contained in this
publication will achieve any particular result in any
specific application. AvestaPolarit makes no
representations regarding and assumes no liability
arising out of the application or any use of any
product, process or information described herein, nor
does it convey any licence under its patent or
copyrights, nor is any licence in any rights of others,
including patent licence, implied.
Information 270102GB; supersedes inf. 70100GB Teknisk information/Edita Vstra Aros 2002
AvestaPolarit Welding AB
P.O. Box 501
SE-774 27 Avesta, Sweden
Tel.: +46 (0)226 815 00
Fax: +46 (0)226 815 75
www.avestapolarit.com/welding
AvestaPolarit Welding AB
Chemical Products
Lodgatan 14
SE-211 24 Malm, Sweden
Tel.: +46 (0)40 93 94 30
Fax: +46 (0)40 93 94 24