Green Technology: Citric Acid for Steel Passivation

SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

activity - Mon, 25/01/2021 - 14:44

Developing alternative technologies to reduce impacts on environment

ESA has evaluated the suitability of the environmentally friendly citric acid process for replacing the health hazardous nitric acid - sodium dichromate baths in passivating stainless steels used for manufacturing spacecraft and ground support structures in applications requiring corrosion resistance. Citric acid passivation was applied to a wide range of stainless steels and it was found that for the vast majority of them, the corrosion resistance and the mechanical properties of steels passivated with citric acid were comparable to or better than the ones of steels passivated with the standard nitric acid process. This demonstrates the more environmentally friendly solution could be a good replacement to currently used passivation processes.

Target:

12.2 Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.4 Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes ... reduce their release to air, water and soil ... minimize adverse impacts on health and environment

12.5 Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.8 Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Organization:

ESA

Directorate:

OPS