A: For our custom size pickled passivated stainless steel butt weld pipe tee, pickling and passivation are complementary but distinct processes. Pickling uses an acid solution (typically nitric acid + hydrofluoric acid) to remove the thin chromium-depleted layer, weld scale, heat tint, and embedded iron contamination from the surface of the stainless steel fitting. This exposes the fully alloyed base metal beneath.

Passivation follows pickling, using nitric acid or citric acid to oxidize the surface chromium into a dense, protective chromium oxide (Cr2O3) passive film. Together, they ensure the custom size stainless steel tee fitting achieves optimal corrosion resistance with a clean, uniform surface appearance. We certify both processes per ASTM A380 and ASTM A967 standards.

A: When ordering our custom size pickled passivated stainless steel butt weld pipe tee, you can specify non-standard dimensions including: outside diameter (OD) for each end, wall thickness for main run and branch, center-to-end dimensions (C and M values), and end preparation type.

Simply provide your dimensional drawings or specification sheet, and our engineering team will review manufacturability and provide a quotation. Custom sizes outside the standard ASME B16.9 range are common in equipment manufacturing, retrofit projects, and specialized industrial systems. Minimum order quantities for truly custom dimensions may apply, and lead times are typically 15-30 working days depending on complexity and material availability.

A: The pickled and passivated surface on our custom size stainless steel butt weld tee is self-healing under oxygen-containing environments. The chromium oxide passive film formed during passivation will naturally regenerate if the surface is exposed to air. For most applications, no maintenance is required beyond normal cleaning.

However, in aggressive environments (high chloride, reducing acids, or oxygen-depleted conditions), periodic inspection is recommended. After field welding of pickled passivated tees into a piping system, we recommend local pickling paste treatment of the weld area followed by passivation to restore the protective surface condition at heat-affected zones, ensuring uniform corrosion resistance across the entire installation.