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What products should I use on stainless steel?

  • Jul 30
  • 3 min read

Summary



The importance of surface treatment for stainless steel


Pickled tubes with fiprokim products from the fiprosteel line, a series of cylindrical and polished stainless steel tubes with a hole in the upper part arranged asymmetrically on multiple levels

Intrinsic Properties and Corrosion Resistance


Stainless steel is universally appreciated for its extraordinary corrosion resistance, a characteristic that makes it widely used in many sectors, from food and beverage to architecture, and even the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, to ensure that these valuable properties and its aesthetic appearance remain intact over time, stainless steel requires specific care and surface treatments.


A clean and organized studio photo showing a wide array of stainless steel furniture, equipment, and utensils against a white background. In the center is a large stainless steel work table with a lower shelf displaying baking sheets, bowls, measuring spoons, a hand mixer, a toaster, and a colander filled with ladles and spatulas. A wooden cutting board and knife rest on the tabletop. Large pots, saucepans, a frying pan, a pedal wastebasket, a set of wrenches, and a metal toolbox are arranged on the floor and lower shelf. A stainless steel serving cart is positioned to the left. The scene highlights the versatility and industrial aesthetic of stainless steel for both culinary and general maintenance purposes.

Surface alterations: what happens during processing?


During mechanical processing, bending, welding, or simple handling in the workshop, the metal surface can undergo alterations. Cutting oils and dust can deposit, or ferrous contamination and oxide layers can form, compromising the steel's natural passive layer.

To restore corrosion resistance and ensure a finished product of excellent quality, it is essential to subject the material to a cleaning and chemical reactivation cycle. But in practical terms, what are the fundamental steps and, above all, which products should be used on stainless steel?


Guide to the treatment phases: degreasing, pickling and protection


The chemical treatment of stainless steel is generally divided into three phases, with a specific chemical objective:


A detailed shot of the interior of a metalworking and fabrication shop. In the foreground, on the right, is a white plastic bucket with a legible label bearing the yellow "Fiprokim" logo, the text "Chemistry for Industry," and "Fiprosteel 758." The bucket sits next to a large, cylindrical stainless steel flange with a weld seam covered with a protective paste. The background shows a red trolley-mounted welding machine with gas cylinders, neat metal workbenches with wall-mounted tool racks, and industrial shelving.

Degreasing and Decontamination: Preparation


This is the first step, and it's absolutely essential. The goal is to remove oils, processing greases, polishing pastes, and other organic or inorganic impurities. A surface that's not perfectly degreased acts as a water-repellent barrier, preventing subsequent chemical treatments from penetrating the metal evenly and thoroughly.


Pickling: Removing Oxides


This is the most important and delicate treatment. Pickling removes surface oxides caused by the heat of welding and removes any ferrous inclusions that could trigger localized corrosion. This chemical process thoroughly "cleans" the metal, preparing it to spontaneously re-form its protective passive layer. Depending on production needs, pickling can be performed by immersion in tanks (with liquid products) or by localized application of gel products (by brush or spray).


Vertical, split-screen technical photograph of a circular industrial component (a flange or axle hub) mounted on an extruded aluminum test stand. The left half shows a metal surface heavily contaminated with rust, grease, dirt, and shop oil, with encrusted bolt holes. The right half shows the same surface after an industrial cleaning treatment, perfectly polished, shiny, reflective, and free of contaminants. The component is centered, and the background shows a blurry machine shop with tools, workbenches, and pipes. The image contains no text or logos.

Finishing and Protection


The final step ensures that the finished piece retains its aesthetic appearance (whether polished, shiny, or satin) and resists fingerprints and dirt from subsequent handling.


Which FIPROKIM products should be used on stainless steel?


To specifically respond to all stainless steel treatment needs, the internal FIPROKIM laboratory has developed the FIPROSTEEL line.


An image of a Fiprokim industrial product line displayed on a EUR/EPAL wooden pallet against a clean white background. The assortment includes 200 L blue plastic drums, 25 L blue plastic jerrycans, white plastic buckets of various sizes (from 5 L to 25 L), and a large central IBC container. Each individual container features a clean label showing only the oval FIPROKIM globe logo (as seen in image_50.png) and a specific product name from the FIPROSTEEL line. Visible product names include "FIPROSTEEL 751" (on a blue drum and two white buckets), "FIPROSTEEL 753" (on two white buckets), "FIPROSTEEL 757" (on two white buckets), "FIPROSTEEL 758" (on the top-stacked blue jerrycans), "FIPROSTEEL 762" (on the IBC container and a central white bucket), "FIPROSTEEL 770" (on the bottom-stacked blue jerrycans), and "FIPROSTEEL 785" (on the top-stacked white bucket). The layout is neat and professional, with all product names and the FIPROKIM logo clearly legible on each container without additional text.

These are the main products of the FIPROSTEEL line:




Degreasers and Depollutants


  • FIPROSTEEL 751: This liquid degreaser is designed to remove processing grease and any traces of ferrous contamination. It improves the aesthetic appearance by enhancing the existing shine and can be used both as a pre-treatment for pickling and as a final treatment.

  • FIPROSTEEL 770: A liquid degreaser that also has mild pickling properties for stainless steel. It is ideal for removing any residual contamination before the actual pickling process.






Gel Pickling Agents


  • FIPROSTEEL 758: A brush-on pickling gel. It allows you to pickle welds or the entire surface without leaving unsightly marks.

  • FIPROSTEEL 754: This product offers the same technical characteristics as 758, but its less viscous formulation makes it a ready-to-use gel for direct use with a spray pump.







Liquid strippers


  • FIPROSTEEL 757: An immersion pickling liquid. It has the great advantage of not flaming the pieces, of being easy to operate and quick in action.

  • FIPROSTEEL 762: An immersion pickling liquid. If properly maintained, it has a very long life and generates a smaller quantity of sludge, which is easily removable.

  • FIPROSTEEL 785: An innovative liquid pickling product. It has a high degreasing, deoxidizing and brightening power. Its low emulsifying power allows the oils to separate easily from the solution, prolonging their useful life.









Final Protectors and Cleaners


  • FIPROSTEEL 753: A gelatinous passivating paste formulated to chemically create a film on the surface of stainless steel, ideal when natural exposure to air is insufficient. This treatment should be performed as a final step, as it does not alter the appearance of the products in any way.

  • FIPROSTEEL 777: For maintenance and final cleaning of finished products, this cleaning liquid removes contamination from handling, leaving a light protective film on the stainless steel surface.







FIPROKIM srl Altavilla Vicentina Veneto Italy chemical products for industry chemical industry company metal cast iron stainless steel iron copper brass bronze glass wood pickling agents degreasers detergents ultrasonic protective oil paint strippers paint stripping lubricants oil oils internal oils whole marble whole paint strippers paint stripper flux additives spray can tank drum bottle immersion washing spray mechanical action




 
 
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