passivate

(pasə vāt′)

transitive verb passivated, passivating

Metallurgy to treat (a metal) so as to form a protective coating on its surface and reduce its chemical activity

Origin: passive + -ate

Related Forms:

See passivate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pas·si·vat·ed, pas·si·vat·ing, pas·si·vates
verb, transitive
  1. To treat or coat (a metal) in order to reduce the chemical reactivity of its surface.
  2. To coat (a semiconductor, for example) with an oxide layer to protect against contamination and increase electrical stability.

Related Forms:

  • pasˌsi·vaˈtion noun
  • pasˈsi·va·tor noun
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