Passivation is a process that is often used in the field of metallurgy to prevent certain metals from corroding when they come into contact with different environmental factors. This process can also be known by different names, depending on the industry or the context in which it is being used. Some of the other synonyms for passivation include surface treatment, chemical passivation, metal conditioning, and metal activation. Each of these terms is used to describe the process by which metals are treated in order to prevent corrosion and other forms of degradation over time. By using these different terms, those in the industry can easily communicate about the specific process being used without confusion or issues with terminology.