PASSIVATION 1. Metal Passivation: In metallurgy, passivation is a chemical treatment process used to make a metal surface passive, which means it becomes more resistant to corrosion. This is often achieved by forming a thin oxide layer on the surface of the metal. Stainless steel, for example, naturally forms a protective chromium oxide layer that helps prevent further oxidation and corrosion. 2. Semiconductor Passivation: In the context of semiconductors, passivation involves coating the semiconductor surface with a thin layer of dielectric material (like silicon dioxide) to protect it from environmental factors and electrical noise. Passivation helps improve device performance and reliability.