What to do if the Stainless Steel Flange Bolt is rusted

1. Mild rust
Mechanical cleaning method: For bolts with only slight rust on the surface, sandpaper or wire brush can be used for cleaning. Start with finer sandpaper, such as 200-400 grit sandpaper, to avoid excessive damage to the bolt surface. Gently grind the rusted area to remove the rust until the shiny metal surface is exposed. This method is suitable for shallow rust and does not have a serious impact on the structure and performance of the bolt.
Chemical cleaning method: A mild rust remover can be used, such as citric acid solution or a special stainless steel rust remover. Soak the rusted bolt in the rust remover solution for about 15-60 minutes, depending on the severity of the rust. Citric acid is a weak acid that can dissolve rust but is relatively less corrosive to stainless steel. After soaking, rinse the bolt with clean water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth to ensure that there is no residual rust remover on the surface, as these residual substances may cause the bolt to rust again.
2. Moderate rust
Passivation: If the rust is already obvious, in addition to removing the rust, the bolts need to be passivated to restore their corrosion resistance. You can use passivation paste and apply it to the surface of the bolts for a period of time, usually 10-30 minutes. The chemical components in the passivation paste can form a dense oxide film on the surface of the bolts, which can prevent oxygen and moisture from contacting the metal inside the bolts, thereby preventing further rust. After use, rinse the bolts thoroughly with clean water and wipe dry.
3. Severe rust
Replace the bolts: If the stainless steel flange bolts are severely rusted and have affected their structural integrity, such as severe pitting, pitting or thread damage, the best way is to replace them with new bolts. Because in this case, even if the rust is removed, the strength and sealing of the bolts may not meet the use requirements, and there are safety hazards. At the same time, the cause of rust should be analyzed, such as whether the use environment is too harsh or insufficient protective measures are taken during installation, so as to avoid the newly replaced bolts from rusting again.
If you want to know how to deal with the rust on Stainless Steel Flange Bolt, please feel free to contact Xianggu Hardware Products. We have a professional technical team to provide you with 7*24 hours online service!