Pickling & Passivation

After completing intervention scopes where acidic solutions are used - such as certain types of Dewaxing, Descaling or Defouling - it is important to pickle and passivate the internal surfaces of affected piping and equipment. It is also considered best practice to carry out pickling and passivation on new-build piping and equipment during pre-commissioning, before client handover.

Pickling and passivation treat the metal surfaces by removing common contaminants such as flash corrosion, greases, weld discoloration, and factory-applied varnish, and then restoring them to a naturally protective condition. The result is safe, clean surfaces fully prepared for service.

Product selection depends on the metal type and whether heat can be applied during the treatment process, ensuring the best possible cleaning performance and asset protection.

SANCCUS Solutions

Pickling

Carbon steel is best treated with organic acid-based products, often with heat, which are gentle on the metal while effectively removing rust, flash corrosion, and other contaminants. If heating isn't possible, controlled use of mineral acid-based products can also achieve the desired cleanliness.

Higher-grade steels are more tolerant of mineral acids and can usually be treated at ambient temperature, achieving fast and effective cleaning. Organic acid-based products remain an option but mineral acids are often preferred for their shorter contact times.

We also offer products that can perform degreasing and pickling in a single step, making them ideal when prior degreasing isn't feasible.

Passivation

After pickling, surfaces should be treated with an alkaline-based passivation product. This restores the metal's surface pH to a stable, naturally protective range, neutralises any residual pickling acid, and prevents flash corrosion - something flushing alone cannot reliably achieve.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Cleaning Range

Ranging from scale dissolvers to rust removers,sanitisers and general degreasers the SANCCUS Chemical Cleaning products have been designed with a simple goal - to get the job done in the safest and the most efficient manner.

Aqua Hib

Aqua Hib is for use after system cleaning to prevent flash corrosion. Aqua Hib provides a cost effective, low odour, anti-corrosion package for steel piping internals.

Del Hib

Del Hib is for use after deluge system cleaning to prevent flash corrosion. Del Hib provides a personnel safe, low odour, anti-corrosion package for deluge systems.

Neutraliser NH

Neutraliser NH is for use after acid pickling applications. Neutraliser NH provides neutralisation and limited anti-corrosion properties after de-rusting or similar chemical cleaning applications.

Neutraliser Si

Neutraliser Si is for use after acid pickling applications. Neutraliser Si provides low odour neutralisation and limited anti-corrosion properties after de-rusting or similar chemical cleaning applications.

Proflux Gel

Proflux Gel is a highly effective stainless steel corrosion product remover / dissolver Gel. Proflux Gel is primarily for use on higher grade steels but can also be used on lower grades of steel providing contact times are reduced.

Rust Remover

Rust Remover is a highly concentrated corrosion product remover / dissolver for stainless steels and other higher grade steels, available in 3 variations. Effective treatment of corrosions where time and laydown space are limited.

Rust Remover CS

Rust Remover CS is a mild or carbon steel corrosion product remover / dissolver. Shorter contact time is required when it is used at temperatures between 50°C and 80°C.

Rust Surf

Rust Surf is a highly concentrated corrosion product remover / dissolver combined with a degreaser for stainless steels and other higher grade steels, available in 2 variations. To be used when a separate initial degreasing is not feasible.

Rust Surf CST

Rust Surf CST is a mild or carbon steel corrosion product remover / dissolver combined with a degreaser for use in one fill cleaning applications. To be used when a separate initial degreasing is not feasible.