A manufacturer makes hydraulic components from Mild Steel (MS) and Cast
Iron (CI) for domestic supply and international export. In addition to their ongoing cleaning and surface preparation requirements, the manufacturer encountered a critical quality challenge — a batch of MS and CI components had developed heavy rust on their surfaces, rendering them unfit for further processing, coating, or dispatch. Complete rust removal without any metal loss or surface damage was essential to salvage the components and restore them to production-ready
condition.
The Challenge
- Heavy rust formation across the entire surface of MS and CI components — components completely covered in rust
- Rust removal required without any metal loss — component dimensional integrity must be preserved
- Zero surface deterioration or damage during the rust removal process
- Process must be safe, eco-friendly, and RoHS compliant — components destined for export markets
- Post-removal protection required to prevent recurrence of rust before further processing and export
- Salvage of affected component batch to avoid write-off and production loss
REFA Solution – REFA RC
REFA recommended REFA RC — a specially formulated rust remover designed to dissolve and eliminate rust from MS and CI metal surfaces without attacking or damaging the base metal.
REFA RC is eco-friendly, RoHS compliant, and water-dilutable — making it safe for operators and suitable for export component manufacturers with strict environmental compliance requirements.
Results
- Complete rust removal achieved — components fully covered in rust restored to clean bare metal surface
- Zero metal loss observed — component dimensions and structural integrity fully preserved throughout process
- Zero surface deterioration or damage to base metal during or after rust removal
- No rust recurrence observed even after 6 months of post-treatment observation
- Components successfully restored to production-ready condition — full batch salvaged, zero component write-off
- RPO application provided rust-free protection of 0.5 to 1 year — sufficient for processing, coating, and export dispatch
- Process performed at room temperature — no energy cost, no heating equipment required
- Eco-friendly and RoHS compliant throughout — no regulatory concerns for export market components