Passivation of Titanium and Medical-Grade Alloys to ASTM F86, ASTM A380 & ASTM A967
Advanced Plating Technologies (APT) provides passivation of titanium and medical-grade alloys, including cobalt chromium, tantalum, MP35N and 316LVM stainless steel to ASTM F86, ASTM A380 and ASTM A967, utilizing a dedicated precision passivation line. APT’s precision passivation line utilizes specific process controls, ultrasonic cleaning, multi-stage hot deionized ultrasonic water rinses, and a dedicated stainless steel drying oven to process small to micro components and exotic materials utilized within the medical and dental industries.
Advanced Plating Technologies provides passivation of titanium and other medical alloys to the demanding requirements of ISO 13485 for medical device manufacturers. APT can provide Installation Qualification (IQ), Operation Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) validation of passivation of titanium and medical alloys to ensure specification compliance and consistency in processing.
The primary difference between commercial passivation and precision passivation is the smaller batch sizes, high-level cleaning and inspection of parts used for medical applications. APT is a 13485 certified metal finishing job shop that has serviced the medical industry since the 1950s. Medical parts are not processed on a precision line separate from commercial passivation which includes up to six stages of ultrasonics in cleaning, passivation, rinsing steps as well as a final isopropyl alcohol (IPA) rinse if required. With Precision Passivation, parts are inspected under high magnification and load integrity is maintained and provided on all packaging.
ISO 13485:2016
ITAR Compliant
ISO 9001:2015
Federal Firearms License
ISO 13485:2016
ITAR Compliant
ISO 9001:2015
Federal Firearms License
SELECT ONE TO LEARN MORE
Passivation of Titanium/Medical
Nitric vs Citric Acid Passivation
Prevent Corrosion on Passivation
Environmental Stewardship
Why APT Precision Passivation?
The proper processing and passivation of titanium and medical grade alloys involves a much higher level of cleanliness, process control, rinsing, inspection and packaging than is possible on commercial lines for passivation of stainless steel. Advanced Plating Technologies employs two precision passivation lines that offer both citric and nitric acid passivation of titanium and medical alloys only. No commercial product is processed on either of these lines. At APT the cleaners, rinses and passivation chemistry are made up new for each order to prevent any potential for chemistry degradation or contamination from lot to lot.
The precision passivation of titanium or other medical alloys begins with cleaning. Medical grade ultrasonic cleaners suited for the specific alloy are made for each order. Parts are ultrasonic cleaned to couple both sonic, thermal and chemical cleaning of the parts. The passivation solution for titanium or medical alloy components is tailored to each alloy as specified by customer or ASTM specification. After passivation, the parts are neutralized and rinsed in a multi-stage hot deionized ultrasonic water rinsing system with the final rinse measured to 20 MW-cm for the highest quality rinse. After rinsing, parts are dried in a dedicated, stainless steel oven to ensure complete evaporation of residual water.
|
Silver |
ARGENTEA |
| Atomic Number – Qty Protons: | 47 | Thermal Conductivity – W/(cm*K): | 4.29 |
| Atomic Weight – g/mole: | 107.9 | Electrical Resistivity – nOhm*m: | 15.87 |
| Density – g/cm3: | 10.5 | Hardness – Hv, Hb: | 215 Hv, 24.5 Hb |
| Melting Point – C°: | 962 | Specific Heat Capacity – J/(g*K): | 0.24 |
Silver
ARGENTEA
| Atomic Number – Qty Protons: | 47 |
| Thermal Conductivity – W/(cm*K): | 4.29 |
| Atomic Weight – g/mole: | 107.9 |
| Electrical Resistivity – nOhm*m: | 15.87 |
| Density – g/cm3: | 10.5 |
| Hardness – Hv, Hb: | 215 Hv, 24.5 Hb |
| Melting Point – C°: | 962 |
| Specific Heat Capacity – J/(g*K): | 0.24 |
Silver Plating Services – Silver Deposit Properties
Silver is an extremely ductile metal with a brilliant white luster. It has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals as well as the highest optical reflectivity in the visible range (gold plating is superior in the infrared range). Silver offers excellent high-temperature lubricity making it an excellent coating for anti-galling and anti-seizing applications on high temperature nuts and bearing surfaces with service temperatures up to 1200F. 99.9% pure, matte silver offers excellent solderability and wire bonding ideal for lead frames and circuit applications.
Silver has been known since ancient times for making jewelry and high-end utensils and is generally considered a precious metal. In reality silver is more properly designated a semi-precious metal due to the fact that it readily tarnishes, forming silver sulfide on the surface when exposed to air or water containing an oxidant and source of sulfur.
A brief summary of IQ, OQ and PQ validation for passivation of titanium and medical-grade alloys is provided below:
Installation Qualification (IQ)
Provide objective evidence that the equipment used in the process adheres to the manufacturer’s specifications and that the recommendations of manufacturer are considered in the installation. In other words – is the equipment installed properly within the facility?
Operation Qualification (OQ)
Provide objective evidence that the process control limits and action limits will result in a finished product that meets design requirements. In other words – will the finishing process be maintained within limits that will produce parts that meet specification?
Performance Qualification (PQ)
Provide objective evidence that the process will consistently produce a product that meets design requirements under anticipated operational conditions. In other words – is production quality achieved with multiple production runs and various production operators?
CONTACT BY EMAIL NOW
Passivation of Titanium and Medical Alloys – Specifications
The most common specification used in passivation of titanium and medical components is ASTM F86, ASTM A380 and ASTM A967. A brief summary of these specifications is provided below:
Passivation of Titanium and Medical Alloys to ASTM F86
Cleaning
Organic solvent degreasing for the removal of gross oils and greases
Hot alkaline soak cleaning as recommended
Hot alkaline electrocleaning as recommended
Ultrasonic cleaning as recommended
Acidic cleaning can be utilized but must be neutralized prior to passivation step
Passivation
20-45v% Nitric Acid (specific gravity 1.1197 to 1.285) at room temperature for 30 Mins minimum. For accelerated process a 20-25v% acid solution heated at 120-140F may be used for a minimum of 20 Mins (cross-reference to ASTM A967 and ASTM A380)
Neutralization
Employ a neutralizing procedure for product designs where acidic liquid could be trapped (e.g. small blind holes).
Rinsing and Drying
A thorough water rinsing process and drying process are essential. Specific methods are left to the cognizant engineering organization.
Passivation of Titanium and Medical Alloys to ASTM A967
Five nitric and citric methods are listed as follows:
Nitric 1: 20-25 v% Nitric Acid, 2.5 w% Sodium Dichromate, 120-130F, 20 Mins minimum
Nitric 2: 20-45 v% Nitric Acid, 70-90F, 30 Mins minimum
Nitric 3: 20-25 v% Nitric Acid, 120-140F, 20 Mins minimum
Nitric 4: 45-55 v% Nitric Acid, 120-130F, 30 Mins minimum
Nitric 5: Other combinations of temperature, time, and acid with or without accelerants, inhibitors or proprietary solutions capable of producing parts that pass the specified test requirements.
Citric 1: 4-10 w% Citric Acid, 140-160F, 4 Mins minimum
Citric 2: 4-10 w% Citric Acid, 120-140F, 10 Mins minimum
Citric 3: 4-10 w% Citric Acid, 70-120F, 20 Mins minimum
Citric 4: Other combinations of temperature time and concentration of citric acid with or without chemicals to enhance cleaning, accelerants or inhibitors capable of producing parts that pass the specified test requirements.
Citric 5: Other combinations of temperature time and concentration of citric acid with or without chemicals to enhance cleaning, accelerants or inhibitors capable of producing parts that pass the specified test requirements. Immersion bath to be controlled at pH of 1.8-2.2
Five testing methods to validate passivation services are provided as follows:
Practice A – Water Immersion Test
Practice B – High Humidity Test
Practice C – Salt Spray Test
Practice D – Copper Sulfate Test
Practice E – Potassium Ferricyanide-Nitric Acid Test
A table of recommended nitric acid passivation methods is provided in the Appendix that correlates Nitric 1 through 5 methods to the specific stainless steel alloy grade. No such reference is provided in the specification for Citric 1 through 5 methods.
Passivation of Titanium and Medical Alloys to ASTM A380
ASTM A380 covers nitric acid passivation as well as descaling of components using hydrofluoric acid or nitric/hydrofluoric acid combinations. It is uncommon that descaling is required in passivation of titanium or other medical grade components. In the event that such descaling is required, APT will work with the manufacturer to develop a protocol that will descale the parts effectively without etching or attacking the alloy. Typically, hydrofluoric acid is avoided due to the extreme handling risks that this acid involves.
ASTM A380 is unique in that it references the appearance of the component in the recommended callout for the passivation process. A brief summary of the passivation methods per ASTM A380 are listed below:
Code F
Material: 200 and 300 Series, 400 Series, precipitation hardening and maraging alloys containing Cr 16% or more (except free machining alloys).
Condition: Dull or nonreflective finish
Method: 20-50v% nitric, 120-160F 10-30 Mins or 70-100F for 30-40 Mins
Code G
Material: 200 and 300 Series, 400 Series, precipitation hardening and maraging alloys containing Cr 16% or more (except free machining alloys).
Condition: Bright machined or polished surfaces
Method: 20-40v% nitric, 2-6w% sodium dichromate, 120-155F 10-30 Mins or 70-100F for 30-60 Mins
Code H
Material: 400 series maraging and precipitation-hardening alloys containing less than 16% chrome or high-carbon-straight chrome alloys (except free machining alloys)
Condition: Dull or nonreflective finish
Method: 20-50v% nitric, 110-130F, 20-30 Mins or 70-100F, 60 Mins
Code I
Material: 400 series maraging and precipitation-hardening alloys containing less than 16% chrome or high-carbon-straight chrome alloys (except free machining alloys)
Condition: Bright or polished surfaces
Method: 20-25v% nitric, 2-6w% sodium dichromate, 120-130F, 15-30 Mins or 70-100F, 30- 60 Mins
Code J
Material: 200, 300 and 400 series free-machining alloys
Condition: Bright or polished surfaces
Method: 20-50v% nitric, 2-6w% sodium dichromate, 70-120F, 25-40 Mins
Code K
Material: 200, 300 and 400 series free-machining alloys
Condition: Bright or polished surfaces
Method: 1-2v% nitric, 1-5w% sodium dichromate, 120-140F, 10 Mins
Code L
Material: 200, 300 and 400 series free-machining alloys
Condition: Bright or polished surfaces
Method: 12v% nitric, 4w% copper sulfate, 120-140F, 10 Mins
Code M
Material: Special free-machining 400 Series alloys with more than Mn 1.25% or more than S 0.40%
Condition: Bright or polished surfaces
Method: 40-60v% nitric, 2-6w% sodium dichromate, 120-160F, 20-30 Mins
