Correction on Passivation Specification

Question:

In the August issue of Products Finishing magazine you answered a question about passivation from J. M. You referred him to ASTM A-380 as the standard for passivation. This is a common misconception. A-380 is actually a practices document. The ASTM standard for stainless steel passivation is A-967. A-380 is a good document to read also, but it would be helpful to your readers if you made a correction about this in the next issue of the magazine and the online version of J. M.’s letter as well. R.K.

Answer:

You are correct that the A-967 is the actual specification while the A-380 is the standard practice. I correctly referred to A-380 as a standard practice and recommended it since, in my opinion, it contains much more information and background than the A-967 specification. Ideally they should be used together.