The present invention is directed to a passivating material suitable for passivating a metal surface. The passivating material comprises a polymer which comprises (a) at least one nitro group, and/or pyridine group, and/or phenolic hydroxyl group; and (b) at least one group selected from a phosphorous-containing group and/or a carboxylic acid group, wherein the at least one phosphorous-containing group is selected from a phosphate, a phosphite, or a non-nitrogen substituted phosphonate.