NOTE1. 303 SStl in any form is generally prohibited for use in MIL Acft due to cracking issues. I only know of 1-or-2 exceptions for parts... and there have been service bulletins for recurring inspections 'just-in-case'.
Per AMS2700... Method 1 passivation [conventional acid] treatments for all 303 CREs have somewhat unique passivation chemistry requirements... and the chemistries aren't even close to Your description.
Of course Method 2, citric acid chemistry seems to apply to most CR steels universally... but has it's own unique issues.
OH YES in every instance 'bath chemistry' must be strictly monitored/controlled, per ARP4992, Periodic Test Plan for Process Solutions. Where I work, there is a 'push' to method 2... simply because of general environmental, toxicity and disposal issues... but there is 'learning curve'.
Other info, 'good-to-know'.
AMS-STD-753 Corrosion-Resistant Steel Parts: Sampling, Inspection and Testing for Surface Passivation
When bath passivation is not possible... such as for field units [remote sites]... and passivation of 3xx SStl parts is required... then I have a 'field-fallback' I've used for years with moderate success... training and adhering to tech procedures per per USAF T.O. 1-1-691 is/are required for [A] and
. When is done/removed to expose clean bare-SStl the surface develops a natural/thin passivation film.
A. Apply PPG-Semco Pasa-Jell 101 to chemically 'clean/scrubbed [scotchbrite] surfaces and deburred edges'. This develops a thin passivation film 'good-enough' for epoxy primer adhesion in structural repairs. This is 'jelled-form' of phosphoric acid that is easier to control on small surfaces. [URL unfurl="true"]https://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1680273436/tips/PPG_Semco_Pasa-Jell_Gnrl_PDS_l7csh1.pdf[/url]
B. Another option is phosphoric acid cleaner per MIL-C-10578 Type III.
Regards, Wil Taylor
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