21 January 2026 | William Hughes Ltd

A Passivation Service With Reliable Turnaround

Passivation is a chemical process designed to improve corrosion resistance on stainless steel parts. Its purpose is to remove iron filings and other contaminants left behind as a result of machining and fabrication processes.

Unfortunately, the process of passivation is often beset with difficulties concerning reliability of service and precision of delivery. Not so with William Hughes. The company offers a standard 5 working day turnaround with an express 24-hour option when necessary. William Hughes promises that customers will get their parts as and when they’re needed.

The William Hughes factory at Stalbridge, Dorset contains an 80m² clean room and state-of-the-art automated passivation plant. The hi-tec passivation process, which is Nadcap accredited and Honeywell Aerospace approved, involves a series of precise chemical treatments that eliminate contaminants from stainless steel surfaces. Its novel functionality means that there is no ‘dunking’ of component baskets from station-to-station, as with traditional systems. Instead, the plant performs “fluid transfer”, moving chemical solutions from holding tanks into the main processing unit as required. This prevents damage to the parts as they are not required to move.

The entire process is fully automated and PLC controlled with typical treatments featuring nitric acid and rinse cycles, followed by a further rinse in deionised water. The parts are air-dried in a clean room environment to prevent recontamination.

This systematic approach ensures that the stainless steel is not only corrosion-resistant but also maintains its mechanical properties and surface finish, crucial for high-stakes manufacturing applications.

Other innovative plant functionality includes an ultrasonic passivation facility and a rotary option where parts can be rotated through the solution, thus filling air gaps in more complex and tubular-type components for example.

Whether you require passivation for medical instruments, precision-engineered components or complex assemblies, William Hughes provides results that meet stringent industry specifications supported by rigorous quality control and, most importantly, on schedule delivery.

Other Press Releases from William Hughes Ltd

14/1/2026 - There's a lot that can be done to ensure maximum performance Have you ever wondered how many springs there are in the average family car? Hundreds. And many of them are made by the William Hughes Group.

14/1/2026 - International women in engineering day Today is International Women in Engineering Day, celebrated on June 23 every year around the world to honour women in the field of engineering. It focuses on raising the profile of women who are changing the field of engineering one degree at a time. It has been recognised by UNESCO and is a befitting tribute for the anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) which was established on June 23, 1919.

03/4/2025 - William Hughes expands aerospace quality programme Following the successful deployment of an in-depth quality assurance programme mandated by a major global aeroengine customer, William Hughes Ltd., a leading spring and wire form manufacturer, is expanding the project’s impressive operational outcomes and best practices to other areas of its manufacturing operations.

14/10/2024 - Spring Capabilities What goes into making a successful spring? A lot more than you think! And getting the perfect balance across all the many inputs is what sets William Hughes apart from its competitors.

02/10/2024 - William Hughes celebrates twenty years of growth and customer success at its class-leading Bulgarian factory William Hughes is delighted to announce that its state-of-the-art Bulgarian fabrication facility is celebrating its 20th anniversary of operation.