Prepare

Pickling of Metal Surfaces

Eliminate oxides, manufacturing traces, and superficial alterations to restore a clean metal surface ready for subsequent steps.

Chemical pickling aims to remove oxides and certain altered superficial layers, particularly after manufacturing, welding, or exposure. Technochim adapts the chemistry and treatment conditions to the material, its initial state, and the desired result.

The Challenges

Benefits of the Treatment

Eliminate Oxides

Remove oxidized layers, welding discoloration, and targeted superficial alterations.

Prepare the Surface

Create a surface condition suitable for passivation, finishing, or a subsequent treatment step.

Control Chemical Action

Adapt the formulation and parameters to the material to achieve the desired action while limiting excessive metal attack.

Your need

When to Intervene?

Oxides or thermal discoloration are present after manufacturing or welding.
A stainless steel surface has oxidized layers that need to be removed before further treatment.
Oxidation or superficial alteration requires restoration.
New or renovated equipment must be prepared before subsequent operations.

Our Approach

From Initial State to Prepared Surface

Effective pickling is not limited to applying an acidic product. The nature of the material, type of oxides, initial state, geometry, and desired result determine the formulation, application method, and treatment parameters.

Technochim adapts the chemistry and treatment parameters to the material, initial state, and desired result. Pickling forms part of a complete treatment sequence that may include degreasing, rinsing, inspection, and, particularly for stainless steel, passivation.

Examine the Surface

Identify the material, initial state, and the nature of oxides or alterations to be removed.

Prepare the Metal

If necessary, eliminate contaminants that could compromise the effectiveness of pickling.

Pickle & Rinse

Apply the defined chemistry and parameters, then perform the necessary rinses.

Inspect and Prepare for Next Steps

Verify the obtained state and, when necessary, define the passivation or finishing step.

Pickling is not Passivation

On stainless steels, pickling removes targeted oxides and a thin superficial layer of metal, particularly in areas affected by welding.

Passivation has a distinct objective: to promote the protective passive state of stainless steel. After pickling and rinsing, a clean stainless steel surface can naturally reform its passive film under favorable conditions.

Therefore, a separate chemical passivation is not systematically necessary. The sequence depends on the grade, the obtained state, and the requirements of the application.

Complementary Operations

Depending on the initial condition and objective, these operations can complement one another and be integrated into the same treatment sequence.

On-site or In-shop

Technochim also defines the application method and the intervention location — on-site or in-shop — according to the geometry, dimensions, and constraints of the equipment.

Affected Surfaces and Equipment

Stainless Steel

Aluminum

Titanium

Welded Parts

Tanks and Process Equipment

Metal Parts and Assemblies

Technochim expertise

Chemistry Adapted to Material and Surface Condition

Technochim combines material knowledge, surface chemistry, and process mastery to integrate pickling into a coherent sequence of preparation and treatment.

Let's Prepare Your Intervention

Present the material, observed oxides, manufacturing history, and desired result. Let's define the appropriate treatment for your surface and subsequent steps.