he TEST KIT FERROXYL is designed to determine whether austenitic stainless steel needs to be pickled or whether it has been pickled satisfactorily.
If the structure of austenitic stainless steel is contaminated with metallic iron (embedded iron) on the surface, the properties of the stainless steel will be adversely affected. The presence of embedded iron in the stainless steel surface disturbs the chromium oxide film, reducing the corrosion resistance locally.
When embedded iron is not removed, serious (pit) corrosion may set in.
This ferroxyl test for free iron is a hypersensitive test and should be used when even the traces of free iron or iron oxide might be objectionable. The test can be used on stainless steel to detect iron contamination from sources including, but not limited to, iron-tool marks, residual iron salts from pickling solutions, iron dust, atmospheric exposure, iron deposits in welds, embedded iron and iron oxide.
In case pickling appears to be necessary, it is recommended to use VECINOX PICKLING PASTE 14LN or VECINOX PICKLING LIQUID 30.