Passive layer intact?

The KorroPad® rapid test

The surfaces of stainless steels are protected by a passive layer. If this is damaged or incompletely formed, corrosion can occur. The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing has developed a favourable rapid test for this purpose.

The test procedure in accordance with DIN 50024 indicates the condition of the passive layer on your component in just 15 minutes. For this purpose, the transparent KorroPads® the size of a 5 cent coin are placed on the steel surface. If the protective chromium oxide layer is missing, iron ions penetrate to the surface – the KorroPads® turn blue at this point. New corrosion damage will soon occur here if you do not renew the passive layer. 

The practical KorroPads® are of course also available from Reuter.

A detailed description of the procedure from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing as PDF can be downloaded here (german) »