Carbon Steel Pickling
Carbon steel pickling is a cleaning process aimed at removing residues from this material.
Restore the surface layer
The pickling of carbon steel is one of the treatments that Bama carries out daily.
At Bama, carbon steel pickling is one of the treatments we perform daily. The process restores the surface layer by eliminating residues, primarily oxides such as rust, chips, or other particles that have transferred onto the material from previous machinery processes or prolonged atmospheric exposure.
Unlike other types of steel, carbon steel lacks corrosion resistance. While stainless steel contains elements like nickel and chromium that enhance resistance, carbon steel requires surface coating treatments for protection. When coating is not feasible, pickling and passivation are used.
Common items undergoing this treatment include prefabricated pipes for gas passage, oxygen use, compressor or turbine service, or hydraulic applications. Additionally, tanks and valve components can also be treated.
Choosing the Right Agent
Pickling carbon steel is more frequent compared to other steels due to its relative "fragility." The process follows the general rules applied to all metals and alloys treated by Bama. For carbon steel, hydrochloric, sulfuric, or phosphoric acid solutions, appropriately inhibited, are used. This can be done through immersion in dedicated tanks with capacities up to 50 cubic meters and dimensions up to 13 meters long and 3 meters wide, or by using spray-applied products like Bama Carbogel Quick, formulated and produced by Bama in its own laboratories and specifically for carbon steel alloys.
The primary effect of these pickling solutions is to meticulously remove all oxide residues, a crucial step for subsequent processes like passivation. After pickling, the item undergoes passivation using alkaline or phosphoric solutions.