Passivation Chemicals: Medipass, Aeropass, and the CitriSurf Series

Passivation is a critical process for enhancing the corrosion resistance of stainless steel by removing free iron and contaminants from the surface. Founders Cleaning offers a range of high-performance passivation chemicals designed to meet the needs of various industries, including Medipass and Aeropass for nitric acid passivation, and the CitriSurf series for citric acid-based treatments.

Medipass and Aeropass are formulated for nitric acid passivation, providing a reliable and industry-proven solution for applications requiring high-strength oxidation and surface conditioning. These products are designed to meet stringent industry specifications and ensure consistent results in aerospace, medical, and precision manufacturing environments.

The CitriSurf series offers an environmentally friendly, safe, and effective alternative using citric acid chemistry. These solutions provide excellent passivation without the hazards associated with nitric acid, making them ideal for manufacturers prioritizing worker safety and regulatory compliance. CitriSurf products effectively remove free iron, enhance corrosion resistance, and meet industry standards such as ASTM A967 and AMS 2700.

Whether you require nitric or citric acid-based passivation, Founders Cleaning provides expert solutions tailored to your specific application, ensuring superior stainless steel performance.

Citisurf logo with stylized ocean wave design

CitriSurf: High-Performance Citric Acid Passivation

CitriSurf is a high-performance citric acid passivation solution designed for stainless steel, providing superior corrosion resistance without the hazards associated with nitric acid. As a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative, CitriSurf effectively removes free iron while preserving the integrity of the stainless steel surface, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as ASTM A967 and AMS 2700.

Developed for versatility, CitriSurf is available in multiple formulations to suit different stainless steel grades and passivation methods. CitriSurf 2050 is a cost-effective solution ideal for 300-series stainless steel, while CitriSurf 2250 is commonly used for 400-series stainless steels, offering a higher pH to protect sensitive surfaces. Low-foaming versions such as CitriSurf 3050 and 3250 are available for spray applications, and CitriSurf 2450 is designed for extremely low-chromium stainless steel. For large or on-site applications, CitriSurf 77 provides a sprayable liquid formula, while CitriSurf 2210 is a thick gel designed for localized treatment, such as post-laser marking passivation.

CitriSurf is widely used across industries, including aerospace, medical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring stainless steel components meet the highest standards of cleanliness and durability. Whether for immersion, spray, or manual application, CitriSurf delivers a reliable, non-toxic passivation process tailored to various industrial needs.

MEDIPASS logo with blue cross on black background
Logo displaying the word 'AEROPASS' with a stylized airplane graphic.

Aeropass: High-Purity Nitric Acid Passivation

Aeropass is a Founders Cleaning exclusive passivation product, developed in partnership with Corco Chemical. Designed for aerospace, medical, and precision manufacturing, Aeropass ensures superior stainless steel passivation by effectively removing free iron and contaminants.

Corco starts with ultra-high purity ACS reagent-grade 70% nitric acid and blends it to industry-standard concentrations of 15%, 25%, 30%, 35%, and up to 39.5%, ensuring precise control over passivation strength. For customized applications, pure 70% ACS reagent-grade nitric acid is also available in 2.5L bottles for concentration make-up.

Aeropass delivers consistent, high-purity performance, meeting ASTM A967, AMS 2700, and ASTM F86 standards while maintaining the highest levels of quality and reliability.

Passivation Equipment

  • Multi-sump passivation tanks for stainless steel and metal parts, designed for efficient cleaning, rinsing, and passivation using citric or nitric acid to meet ASTM A967 standards

    Multi Sump Tanks

    2-4 Sumps - Single Control Panel

  • Manual passivation console for precision metal parts cleaning, offering hands-on control for acid passivation processes to improve corrosion resistance and surface integrity.

    Manual Consoles

    Multiple Process Tanks in a Common Frame

    Wash, Rinse, and Dry

  • Automated passivation console for industrial parts cleaning, engineered for controlled nitric and citric acid treatments to enhance corrosion resistance and comply with ASTM A967 specifications.

    Automated Passivation Consoles

    Ultrasonic Cleaning - Acid Passivation - Rinse and Dry

  • Industrial food processing equipment with multiple compartments and controls

    Passivation Chamber

    The parts stay in the chamber, the fluid is changed around it.

Other Product Categories

  • Icon of an aqueous cleaning system - spray washers, agitation washers, consoles, conveyors.

    Aqueous Systems

    Spray Washers, Agitation Washers, Consoles, Conveyors

  • Icon of a solvent degreaser - open top, vacuum, CO2, low flashpoint options.

    Solvent Degreasers

    Open Top, Vacuum, CO2, Low Flashpoint

  • Icon of an ultrasonic cleaning system - cleaning tanks, transducers, consoles.

    Ultrasonics

    Cleaning Tanks, Transducers, Consoles

  • Icon of a vapor blasting system - water, blasting media, air pressure."

    Vapor Blasting

    Water + Blasting Media + Air Pressure

  • Icon for aqueous chemistry selection - choose the right chemistry for your application."

    Aqueous Chemistry

    Choose the right chemistry for your application.

  • Icon for CO2 cleaning systems - CO2 spray and liquid CO2 degreasing units.

    CO2 Cleaning

    CO2 Spray and Liquid CO2 Degreasing units

  • Icon for passivation processes - consoles and chemicals for metal part passivation.

    Passivation

    Consoles and Chemicals for the Passivation of Metal Parts

  • Icon for cleaning solvents - engineered solvents, hydrocarbons, modified alcohol, IPA, acetone.

    Chemical - Solvent

    Engineered Cleaning Solvents, Hydrocarbons/Modified Alcohol, IPA, Acetone

  • Icon for parts finishing systems - barrel finishing, vibratory, wet and dry blasting.

    Parts Finishing

    Barrel, Vibratory, Wet and Dry Blasting

  • Icon representing spray washing

    Spray Washing

    Rotation, Conveyors, Chambers