Descaling of hot-rolled stainless steel is generally implemented through pickling process in HNO3-HF mixed acids,which induces severe environmental concerns of nitrogen oxide(NOx)gases and nitrites.According to the electrochemical measurement,the mass loss test and the appearance analysis,a new pickling process which employed HCl-based solution was proposed and evaluated to provide theoretical basis for the development of environment-friendly and highly effective pickling process.Under the experimental condition,the HCl-based solution can compete with ordinary HNO3-HF mixed acids in terms of pickling efficiency,surface integrity and the removal of Crdepleted layer.The descaling process of 430hot-rolled stainless steel in the HCl-based solution consisted of three steps.The descaling solution penetrated the oxide scales into the underlying metal,dissolving the Cr-depleted layer and part of substrates.The oxide scales peeled off from the stainless steel and a polished and smooth surface was exposed.The descaled stainless steel was dissolved uniformly in the HCl-based solution;therefore,the pickling duration was vital for desired surface integrity.Under the static condition,the appropriate descaling time of 430 hotrolled stainless steel in HCl-based solution was 400 s. Descaling of hot-rolled stainless steel is generally implemented through pickling process in HNO3-HF mixed acids, which induces severe environmental concerns of nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases and nitrites. According to the electrochemical measurement, the mass loss test and the appearance analysis, a new pickling process which employed HCl-based solution was proposed and evaluated to provide theoretical basis for the development of environment-friendly and highly effective pickling process. Bunder the experimental condition, the HCl-based solution can compete with ordinary HNO3-HF mixed acids in terms of pickling efficiency, surface integrity and the removal of Crdepleted layer. The descaling process of 430hot-rolled stainless steel in the HCl-based solution consisted of three steps. The descaling solution penetrated the oxide scales into the underlying metal, dissolving the Cr -depleted layer and part of substrates.The oxide scales peeled off from the stainless steel and a polished and smooth surface w as the descaled stainless steel was dissolved in the HCl-based solution; therefore, the pickling duration was vital for the desired surface integrity. Under the static condition, the appropriate descaling time of 430 hotrolled stainless steel in HCl-based solution was 400 s.