Stainless steel is a high-quality corrosion-resistant metal material, but it can also be contaminated during use and needs to be cleaned. Acid cleaners have a good removal ability during the cleaning process and can effectively remove stains and contaminants from stainless steel surfaces. However, extra care needs to be taken when cleaning stainless steel with acidic cleaning agents to avoid corrosion or damage to the stainless steel.
First of all, it is necessary to determine the type and composition of the cleaning agent, if the contaminants on the surface of the stainless steel are mainly organic matter, you can consider using an acid cleaning agent containing organic acids, such as benzoic acid, citric acid, etc.;In the case of inorganic salts or oxides, it is necessary to use strong acidic cleaning agents, such as nitric acid, phosphoric acid, etc. However, acidic cleaners containing fluoride should be avoided because fluoride is highly corrosive and can cause damage to stainless steel.
Secondly, it is necessary to pay attention to the concentration and duration of the cleaning agent. If the concentration is too high or the cleaning time is too long, it will accelerate the corrosion of stainless steel materials by acid cleaning agents. Generally speaking, the concentration of the cleaning agent is between 1% and 5%, and the use time should not exceed 20 minutes.
Again, you need to pay attention to the temperature of the cleaning. Generally speaking, it is better to use the method of increasing temperature for cleaning, but it is necessary to pay attention to the cleaning temperature should not be too high, stainless steel will form a dense and stable oxide layer (passivation layer) at a certain temperature, which is an important guarantee for stainless steel to obtain corrosion resistance. Excessive temperature can affect the stability of the passivation layer, which can destroy the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.
In summary, acidic cleaning agents can be used when cleaning stainless steel, but you should be extra careful to choose the right cleaning agent and grasp the key points such as the concentration, use time and temperature of the cleaning agent to avoid damage to the stainless steel. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with stainless steel cleaning, it is recommended to consult a manufacturer or professional cleaning company to ensure that the cleaning is safe and effective.