What does "passivation" refer to in corrosion science?

Passivation refers to the process where a protective oxide layer forms on the surface of a metal, significantly enhancing its corrosion resistance. This layer acts as a barrier between the metal and the environment, preventing corrosive agents such as water and oxygen from reaching the underlying metal. As a result, the metal becomes less susceptible to further corrosion processes.

In many cases, passivation is applied intentionally in various materials, especially stainless steels, helping to maintain their integrity, aesthetic appearance, and lifespan in corrosive environments. This protective layer can develop naturally or through chemical treatments, and its effect is crucial to the effectiveness of corrosion prevention strategies.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the concept of passivation. Complete corrosion represents a failure in material integrity rather than a protective measure, while removing rust pertains to surface cleaning rather than the formation of protective layers. Lastly, treatment involving high temperatures may refer to different processes such as annealing or heat treatments, which are not specific to the concept of passivation.