Abstract: Methods of passivating a metal surface are described, the methods comprising the steps of i) exposing the metal surface to a silicon-containing passivation material; ii) evacuating the metal surface; iii) exposing the treated surface to a gas composition having a concentration of reactive gas that is greater than an intended reactive gas concentration of gas to be transported by the metal surface; iv) evacuating the metal surface to remove substantially all of the gas composition to enable maintenance of an increased shelf-life, low concentration reactive gas at an intended concentration; and v) exposing the metal surface to the reactive gas at the intended reactive gas concentration. Manufactured products, high stability fluids, and methods of making same are also described.