1503 Sagebrush Drive

Round Rock, Texas 78681

p | 512-426-3380
e-mail I Robert@boswellscts.com
www.boswellscts.com
CLIENT SERVICES IS NUMBER 1

STAINLESS STEEL PICKLING AND PASSIVATION PROCEDURE

For Large in Place A304 Stainless Steel Materials and Structures at Clarifiers 1 and 2 of the
COA WTP #4.

Note:
All necessary and required PPE required by MWH for the tools and fall prevention and the
MSDS for the chemicals discussed in Pickling and Passivation Procedure below shall be used
at all times.

1. Access and Fall Prevention

A. There shall be no carbon steel or other foreign materials allowed to come in
direct contact with the materials and structures. This restriction shall include, but
not be limited to man-lift equipment and fall prevention equipment that does not
have isolation to prevent direct contact.

2. Initial Washing Process:

A. Pressures wash all surfaces with ambient temperature, but not less than 50
degree Fahrenheit potable water at less than 3500psi. This process shall remove
all loose materials debris and soil or dirt.

3. Degreasing and Descaling Process:

A. Non-previously used white cotton cloths soaked with Xylene shall be used to
clean 100% of the surfaces.
B. Special care shall be taken at non sealed lap joints, at bolts, hard to reach areas
and in corners.
C. Non-previously used stainless steel or stiff nylon hand brushes shall be used with
the inclusion of Xylene for specific areas where there is obvious staining caused
by iron deposits and/or rust bloom. After initial cleaning and removal of the
staining or rust bloom, the specific area shall be recleaned with non-previously
used stainless steel or stiff nylon hand brushes shall be used with the inclusion of
Xylene.
D. All brushes and cloths used for degreasing and descaling shall be discarded after
use and shall not be used. NOTE; brushes and/or cloths used to clean
specific areas of staining or rust bloom areas shall be discarded after used
for the specific area.

4. Pickling and Passivation Process:

A. Pressures wash all surfaces with ambient temperature, but not less than 50
degree Fahrenheit distilled water at less than 3500psi. This process shall remove
all traces of the Xylene, loose materials debris and soil or dirt.

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 B. Non-previously used white cotton cloths soaked with an NSF approved liquid
chemical mix of Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid, Hydrofluoric acid and Ammonium
fluoride such as Bradford Derustit SS-3 (Dersutit) shall be used to pickle and
passivate 100% of the flat surfaces. A paste form of the Dersutit shall be used for
vertical and sloped surfaces. Allow this material to set for a minimum of 15
minutes.

5. Washing Process:
A. Pressures wash all surfaces with ambient temperature, but not less than 50
degree Fahrenheit potable water at less than 3500psi. This process shall remove
all loose materials debris and soil or dirt.
B. Non-previously used stainless steel or stiff nylon hand brushes shall be used with
the inclusion of Dersutit for areas where there is obvious staining caused by iron
deposits and/or rust bloom. After initial cleaning and removal of the staining or
rust bloom, the specific area shall be recleaned with non-previously used
stainless steel or stiff nylon hand brushes shall be used with the inclusion of
Dersutit.
C. All brushes and cloths used for pickling and passivation shall be discarded after
use and shall not be used. NOTE; brushes and/or white cotton cloths used to
clean specific areas of staining or rust bloom areas shall be discarded after
used for the specific area.

6. Final Washing/Neutralizing Process:

A. Pressures wash all surfaces with ambient temperature, but not less than 50
degree F potable water/Baking Soda Slurry at less than 3500psi. Use a Slurry
mix of 1lb. Baking Soda per Gallon of water. This process shall remove traces of
Dersutit, loose materials debris and soil or dirt.

7. Initial Observation by Cleaning Crew Leader:

A. The cleaning crew leader shall observe all cleaned surfaces. If any “local”
staining or rust bloom is observed that “local” area shall be recleaned beginning
with the Initial Washing Process, following through to the Final Washing Process
of this procedure.

References:
ASTM A380 Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of Stainless Steel
Parts, Equipment and Systems

ASTM A967 Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Steel Parts

If you have any questions, or need additional information please contact us at 512-426-3380.

Robert Boswell, Consultant

NACE Bridge Coatings Inspector
NACE Level III #11409, NACE CCT
CWI #96020121, CRI, NDE Level II

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 1503 Sagebrush Drive
Round Rock, Texas 78681
p | 512-426-3380
e-mail I Robert@boswellscts.com
www.boswellscts.com
CLIENT SERVICES IS NUMBER 1

INSPECTION PROCESS FOR

STAINLESS STEEL PICKLING AND PASSIVATION PROCEDURE

For Large in Place A304 Stainless Steel Materials and Structures at Clarifiers 1 and 2 of the
COA WTP #4.

Note:
All PPE required by MWH for the inspection process shall be used at all times.

1. Access and Fall Prevention

A. There shall be no carbon steel or other foreign materials allowed to come in
direct contact with the materials and structures. This restriction shall include, but
not be limited to man-lift equipment and fall prevention equipment that does not
have isolation to prevent direct contact.

2. Inspection of Initial Washing Process:

A. After the surfaces have been pressure washed, inspection shall be performed by
the contractor foreman and superintendent to confirm that all loose materials
debris and soil or dirt has been removed. If any loose materials debris and soil or
dirt remains, the initial washing process shall continue until the contractor
foreman and superintendent confirm that all loose materials debris and soil or dirt
have been removed.
B. After it has been confirmed that the Initial Washing Process is complete, the
contractor may begin the Degreasing and Descaling Process.

3. Inspection of Degreasing and Descaling Process:

A. After the surfaces have been degreased and descaled, inspection shall be
performed by the by the contractor foreman and superintendent to confirm that
the surfaces are free of grease, scale, staining, rust bloom, free iron or other
contaminants. If any grease, scale, staining, rust bloom, free iron or other
contaminants remain, the Degreasing and Descaling Process shall continue until
the contractor foreman and superintendent confirm grease, scale, staining, rust
bloom, free iron or other contaminants. Special attention should be made for non-
sealed lap joints, at bolts, hard to reach areas and in corners.
B. After the contractor foreman and superintendent have confirmed that the
Degreasing and Descaling Process is complete and at the option of the
contractor, the contractor’s 3rd party inspector may inspect the surfaces to
confirm that Degreasing and Descaling Process is complete.
C. After it has been confirmed that the Degreasing and Descaling Process is
complete, the contractor may begin the Pickling and Passivation Process.

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 4. Inspection of Pickling and Passivation Process:
A. After the contractor foreman and superintendent have confirmed that the Pickling
and Passivation Process, the Washing Process and the Final Washing Process
are complete, the contractor 3rd party inspector shall confirm that these
processes are complete. This conformation may be performed with the following
inspection methods:
I. Visual inspection after the contractor has again pressure washed the
surfaces with distilled water and allowed surfaces to dry be dry over a 24
hour period. Inspection shall reveal no evidence of the stains or other
corrosion products. If there is evidence of stains or other corrosion
products the “local” area or areas shall be re-cleaned using the Pickling
and Passivation Procedure that was developed for the COA WTP #4
project.
II. After any required re-cleaning is completed and the surface has been
neutralized, the entire Inspection of Pickling and Passivation Process
shall be performed by the contractor 3rd party inspector. This process
shall continue until the 3rd party inspector has confirmed that there is no
evidence of stains or corrosion products on the stainless steel surfaces.
III. After the 3rd party inspector has confirmed that there is no evidence of
stains or corrosion products on the stainless steel surfaces, the work may
be released to the owner’s inspector for inspection.
B. The following inspection processes will be used in the Inspection Procedure:
I. ASTM A380 Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation
of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment and Systems paragraphs:
a) 7.2 Gross Inspection
b) 7.2.5 Tests for Free Iron
c) 7.2.5.1 Water-Jetting and Drying were referenced for development
of this Inspection Process.
II. ASTM A967 Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments
for Steel Parts paragraph:
a) 14.6.2 Clean Cloth Method

General Notes:
Latent dust may be deposited on the surfaces of the stainless steel after final cleaning and
should not be a cause for determining that the cleaning, and pickling and passivation processes
are not compliant.

References:
ASTM A380 Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of Stainless Steel
Parts, Equipment and Systems

ASTM A967 Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Steel Parts

If you have any questions, or need additional information please contact us at 512-426-3380.

Robert Boswell, Consultant

NACE Bridge Coatings Inspector
NACE Level III #11409, NACE CCT
CWI #96020121, CRI, NDE Level II
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