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Parr Stainless Steels Corrosion Info
Parr Stainless Steels Corrosion Info
AISI
Type
r Composition, y0
C Mn P s Si
max max max max max Cr Ni MO Other
201 0.15 5.50~7.50 .060 .030 1.00 16.00-18.00 3.50-5.50 - N 0.25 max
202 0.15 7.50-10.00 .060 ,030 1.00 17.00~19.00 1.00~6.00 N 0.25 max
301 0.15 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 16.00--18.00 5.00-8.00 -
302 0.15 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 17.00 -19.00 3.00-10.00
302B 0.15 2.00 .045 .030 2.00~~3.00 17.00-19.00 9.00~10.00
303 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.15 min 1.00 17.00-19.00 3.00~-10.00 0.60 max
303Se 0.15 2.00 0.20 .06 1.00 17.00~19.00 5.00~10.00 Se 0.15 min
304 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 18.00-20.00 B.OO-12.00 -
304L .03 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 18.00-20.00 8.00-12.00 - -
305 0.12 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 17.00-19.00 10.00~13.00 -
308 .08 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 19.00-21.00 10.00~~12.00 -
309 0.20 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 22.00-24.00 12.00-15.00 - -
309s .08 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 22.00-24.00 12.00~15.00 -
310 0.25 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.50 24.00-26.00 19.00-22.00 -
310s .08 2.00 .045 ,030 1.50 24.00-26.00 19.00~22.00 -
314 0.25 2.00 .045 ,030 1.50-3.00 23.00-26.00 19.06~22.00 -
316 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 16.00~18.00 10.00-14.00 2.00-3.00 -
316L .03 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 16.00 -18.00 10.00~14.00 2.00-3.00
317 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 18.00~20.00 11.00~15.00 3.00-4.00
D319 .07 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 17.50- 19.50 11.00~15.00 2.25-3.00
321 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 17.00-19.00 9.00-l 2.00 Ti 5 x C min
347 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 17.00~19.00 9.00- 13.00 - Cb-Ta 10 x C min
348 .08 2.00 .045 ,030 1.00 17.00 -19.00 9.00-13.00 - Cb-Ta 10 x C min; Ta
0.10 max; Co 0.20 max
384 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 15.00~17.00 .7.00~19.00
385 .08 2.00 ,045 ,030 1.00 11.50~13.50 .4.00-16 00
Alloy Casting Institute Division (SFSA) Classification of Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Castings
Cast Alloy
Designation
Wrought
Alloy
T Composition, y0
Type1 C Mn P s Si
max max max max max Cr Ni MO Other
CD-4MCu .04 1.00 .04 .04 1.00 2!5-26.5 4.75-6.00 1.75-2.25 Cu 2.75-3.25
CE-30 - 0.30 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 26-30 8-11 -
304L .03 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 17-21 8-12 - -
CF-3
304 .08 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 :8-21 8-11 - -
CF-8
302 0.20 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 18-21 8-11 -
CF.20
316L .03 1.50 .04 .04 1.50 17-21 9-13 2.0-3.0 -
CF-3M
316 .08 1.50 .04 .04 1.50 18-21 9-12 2.0-3.0 -
CF-8M
316 0.12 1.50 .04 .04 1.50 18-21 9-12 2.0-3.0 -
CF-12M
CF-8C 347 .08 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 18-21 9-12 - Cb8xCmin,l.Omax
or Cb-Ta 10 x C min,
1.35 max
CF. 16F 303 0.16 1.50 0.17 .04 2.00 18-21 9-12 1.5 max Se 0.20-0.35
.08 1.50 .04 .04 1.50 18-21 9-13 3.0-4.0 -
CG-8M 317
0.20 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 22-26 12-15 - -
CH-20 309
0.20 1.50 .04 .04 2.00 23-27 19-22 - -
CK-20 310
CN-7M - .07 1.50 .04 .04 1.50 18-22 27.5-30.5 2.0-3.0 cu 34
‘Wrought alloy type numbers are included only for the convenience of those who wish to determine corresponding wrought and cast
grades. The chemical composition ranges of the wrought materials differ from those of the cast grades.
Corrosion Resistance of the Austenitic Chromium-Nickel
Stainless Steels in Chemical Environments
INTERPRETING CORROSION TEST DATA lar corrosion upon exposure to a number of corrodents,
including some which otherwise may have slight effect
The quantitative data secured in corrosion tests are on them. In this temperature range chromium carbides
often of a very low order of magnitude. When the cor- precipitate in the grain boundaries. The resultant areas
rosion rate is of the order of less than 0.1 mils penetra- of lowered chromium content adjacent to the grain
tion per year, the actual numbers carry little signifi- boundaries have less resistance to corrosion. Welding
cance. Zf, for example, a test indicates a corrosion rate operations, for example, may leave an area near the
of .OOl mils penetration per year for Steel A, and .002 welds in such a corrosion-susceptible or “sensitized”
for Steel B, it should not be concluded that Steel A is condition. The intergranular corrosion of a sensitized
twice as good as Steel B, but rather that both steels are steel can be insidious, in that after such attack the steel
entirely suitable for service in the environment. sometimes appears relatively sound, but on more de-
* 1: * tailed examination may be found to possess very little
strength. A steel which has been sensitized (either by
N many instances, the desirable physical and me-
heat treatment or by welding) will be seriously subject
I chanical properties of austenitic stainless steels
to intergranular corrosion only in certain specific en-
may determine their use, but it is generally true that
vironments. Table I lists some corrosion environments
their most important property is their ability to with-
which have been reported to cause such attack.
stand corrosion in a great many of the environments
likely to be encountered by modern materials of con- The original high corrosion resistance of the chro-
struction. mium-nickel austenitic stainless steels can be restored
after sensitizing thermal exposure provided they have
The stainless steels possess an especially useful
not been exposed to an effective corrodent in the
characteristic in resisting corrosion in that they per-
meantime. Simple annealing by heating to 1850 to
form best under those oxidizing conditions which are
2050 F followed by rapid cooling through the sensitive
most harmful to ordinary steel and to many of the
range is sufficient for the purpose.
non-ferrous metals and alloys. It is also highly signifi-
cant that the stainless steels demonstrate practically Increasing carbon content tends to increase suscep-
complete resistance to the corrosive effects of the most tibility to sensitization. Holding the carbon content to
commonly encountered environment-the atmosphere. a maximum of .03 per cent, as in Types 304L and
Not only do they resist structural damage in atmos- 3 16L, is sufficient to avoid sensitization during welding
pheric exposure, but in addition, and in line with their and stress relief annealing, but a further reduction to
descriptive name, they retain their original bright ap- .02 per cent maximum is required if there is to be
pearance for long periods. Cold forming operations and continued operation in the sensitizing temperature
cold rolling generally do not decrease the corrosion range’. Additions of titanium or columbium also serve
resistance. to inhibit the development of sensitization. These ele-
ments form carbides more readily than chromium and
The alloys are, of course, not impervious to corro-
thus diminish depletion of the latter along grain
sion in all environments. With respect to certain media,
boundaries. Therefore, if the low carbon grades are
corrosion of different types may occur. The extent can
not used, Types 32 1 and 347 are recommended for use
often be minimized by proper composition selection
in corrosive environments which may cause inter-
and careful conditioning.
granular attack where welded construction is em-
ployed and annealing is not practical. Titanium is re-
active with gases at welding temperatures so that it is
TYPES OF CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEELS partially lost during welding. Type 347, containing the
less reactive columbium, is usually employed for weld
INTERGRANULAR CORROSlON rods in such applications.
When held in the temperature range between 800 and An extensive discussion of the effects of steel com-
1650 F, the austenitic stainless steels may undergo a position, thermal treatment, and evaluation test pro-
change which renders them susceptible to intergranu- cedures has been published by ASTM”.
3
TABLE I
Corrosive Environments Causing lntergranular Attack of Sensitized Austenitic Stainless Steels
AlSl
Concentration, Temperature, Length of Type of Type of Method of
Media M% F Exposure st,nl:,,s Expel iure Sensitization
_ -__-
Nitric Acid & IO-12 140 5-16 mo 304, 316 Field as-welded
Hydrofluoric Acid 1.5
Mixed Sulfuric Acid and 0.6 212 - 309 Field Too slowly cooled by
Nitric Acid 0.4 spray quenching
Sulfuric Acid and 9 65 21 days 304 Speci men Welded & stress relieved
Ferrous Sulfate 7 in Fiteld 2 hr at 1250 F
l Specific heat treatment not given but varied from 1 to 1000 hours at temperatures from 1000 F to 1400 F. Warren l
4
STRESS CORROSION CRACKING ment of these active anodic areas into pits will depend
upon electrolytic current flowing between the small
In certain solutions, particularly chloride solutions, anodic area and the large unattacked cathodic area
stainless steels that contain residual stresses may de- outside of the pits.
velop stress corrosion cracking if the exposed surface
Some oxidizing agents serve to depolarize this large
is in tension. Some typical examples of solutions which
have been observed to cause stress corrosion cracking cathode area and thus accelerate the rate of pitting.
Oxygen in stagnant solutions, ferric chloride, hypo-
are given in Table II.
chlorous acid, and mercuric chloride are typical oxi-
A thorough compilation of case histories of stress dizing agents which will promote pitting. On the other
corrosion cracking has been published by the ASTM4. hand some oxidizing agents will prevent the activa-
tion of local areas on stainless steel and thus prevent
Additions of other elements have little value in re-
corrosion. The nitrates and chromates are good ex-
ducing stress corrosion cracking. To avoid all danger
amples of this group.
of cracking in those specific environments known to be
capable of causing this difficulty, as, for example, those The role of dissolved oxygen in pitting may assume
listed in Table II, practically complete elimination of different aspects. In the complete absence of oxygen,
internal stresses, such as those introduced by welding, or other oxidizing agent, the cathodic areas will not
is necessary. This requires annealing at quite high tem- be depolarized and the development of pits will be
peratures. For media such as those listed, the annealing arrested, If oxygen is present in small amounts, and
temperatures may need to be in excess of 1600 F. the corroding solution is stagnant, the passivity may
Even so, stresses introduced on cooling can be a not be preserved over the entire surface and pits may
problem. develop. Liberal aeration may in some instances sup-
ply a concentration of oxygen which is sufficient to
PITTING CORROSION maintain a protective passive film over the entire
surface and pits will not develop. Thus good aeration
When passive metals such as the stainless steels cor-
and moderate velocities or turbulence are useful in
rode, the corrosion develops where passivity has been
maintaining adequate oxygen supply; for example, in
destroyed. This may occur at very small areas and
sulfuric acid, and in sea water and other salt solutions.
result in a pitted surface. Once the passivity has been
lost at a local spot, this area will be anodic to the If debris of any kind is allowed to accumulate on the
remaining passive surface. The subsequent develop- surfaces of stainless steel equipment, it will reduce the
TABLE II
Some Chloride Solutions Which May Cause Stress Corrosion Cracking of Stainless Steels
.
Ammonium Chloride 30 Boiling
b
Calcium Chloride 37 Boiling
b
Cobalt Chloride Saturated 212
*
Lithium Chloride 30 Boiling
b
Magnesium Chloride 40 (PH 4) 220
b
Magnesium Chloride 60 (pH 4.4) 240
e
Magnesium Chloride 42 310
.
Mercuric Chloride 10 Boiling
b
Sodium Chloride Saturated 212
h
Zinc Chloride 54 Boiling
* Franks, Binder and Brown 5 b Scheil, Zmeskal, Waber and Stcckhausen 6 e Scheil 7
5
accessibility of oxygen to the covered aeras and pits CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEELS IN
may develop in such locations because of the reduced VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTS
oxygen concentration. Marine growths such as bar-
nacles, sludge settling to the bottom of tanks, and
As it is obviously not practical to discuss individually
carbon deposits from heated organic compounds are
the behavior of stainless steels in contact with the
typical examples of this source of corrosion of stainless
thousands of corrosive media and under the variety
steels.
of conditions which may be encountered, corrosive en-
vironments will here be divided into several general
Pitting corrosion is rendered less severe by the ad-
classes and the behavior of the austenitic chromium-
dition of 2 to 3 per cent of molybdenum to stainless
nickel stainless steels in each of these types of envi-
steel. Molybdenum additions also have the specific
ronment summarized with appropriate data to illus-
effect of reducing corrosion of the austenitic stainless
trate particular points.
steels in certain media such as sulfurous acid, sulfuric
acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, and some other hot
organic acids. To maintain the austenitic structure in
CORROSION BY WATERS
these molybdenum-containing stainless steels, the
nickel content must be increased. Thus Type 316
Distilled Water
contains 10 to 14 per cent nickel as compared with
8 to 10 per cent in Type 302. Ordinary 18-8 stainless steel remains practically un-
attacked by distilled water. For example, specimens
of Type 304 exposed for over 1400 hours to distilled
CREVICE CORROSION water from a condenser were corroded at a rate of
only 0.13 mdd,* equivalent to a penetration of only
In the design of stainless s’ eel equipment, all shapes .02 mpy.** Short time tests usually show no weight
and joints which form crevices or deep recesses should loss of 18-8 specimens in hot or cold distilled water.
be avoided. Oxygen does not have ready access to the
areas within the crevice and these may become anodic Tap Wafer
to the remaining exposed, aerated areas of the equip-
ment. The extent of attack within the crevice has been Exposure of specimens for long periods in hot
shown to be proportional to the area of the freely (about 140 F) tap water at several localities has
exposed metal outsides. This form of corrosion of stain- shown that 18-8 stainless steel is highly resistant to
less steel may be eliminated or reduced to a minimum corrosion by this medium. This is illustrated by some
by completely sealing such crevices, or by altering de- typical data assembled in Table III referring to waters
sign to eliminate them. If gaskets are used, they should that are notoriously corrosive to many materials.
be non-porous and pulled up tightly over their en- While the common 18-8 types should suffice in most
tire area. instances, it would be expected that the Type 316
composition would demonstrate an advantage in
waters of unusually high chloride content. In con-
structing stainless steel apparatus to be used in con-
GALVANIC CORROSION tact with corrosive waters, unsealed crevices should
be avoided since local attack within crevices might
When designing equipment to be constructed with occur.
several materials, thought must be given to possible
galvanic couples. The stainless steels are usually quite
River Waters
cathodic relative to other alloys but their potentials
may vary over a wide range depending upon whether As might be expected, the stainless steels offer
they are in an active or passive state. Type 304 stain- almost complete resistance to corrosion by river
less steel in sea water has exhibited electrode poten- waters, including even those acid waters like the
tials from i-O.5 to -0.28 volt referred to the saturated Monongahela which are quite corrosive to many other
calomel electrode”. The austenitic stainless steels ac- alloys. This is demonstrated by the data in Table IV.
cordingly may be expected to be cathodic to most of No pitting was encountered in these tests.
the common structural alloys such as ordinary steel
and aluminum. This usually will mean a reduction in Resistance to attack by river waters extends to the
the normal corrosion rate of stainless steel since it extremely severe erosive conditions associated with
profits from mild cathodic protection. On the other cavitation effects that are sometimes encountered by
hand the less noble alloy in the equipment will not * mdd--weight loss in milligrams per square decimeter of SW-
be excessively attacked if its area is large compared face exposed per day.
with the area of the stainless steel. ** mpy-corrosion rate in mils penetration per year.
6
the blades of hydraulic turbines and tug boat pro- TABLE IV
pellers. Cavitation tests have shown that chromium- Results of Some Corrosion Tests of
nickel stainless steels are highly resistant to this kind Type 302 Stainless Steel in River Waters
of damagelo. Some results from Mousson’s tests are
assembled in Table V. These alloys have been applied Corrosion Rate
by arc welding to build up the affected portions of Duration -
steel turbine blades that have suffered severe cavita- River of Test,
tion damage and also to provide extra resistance to
days mdd mw
-___ -~
such damage in critical areas of new blades.
Allegheny 330 .006 <O.l
Typical Results of Tests of Type 304 Stainless Steel Monongahela 128b .03c <O.l
in Tap Water at About 140 F
- Potomac (Hager&own, Md) 394b .oooc <O.l
Mine Wafers
7
conventional boiler waters. They usually are main- Halogen Salts
tained at a pH about 10 with lithium hydroxide or
ammonia, and may contain some added hydrogen. Because of the strong effects of halogen ions in
Austenitic stainless steels have been extensively eval- penetrating passive films so as to induce pitting, cau-
uated in such waters at temperatures up to 600 F and tion is required in the application of stainless steels in
found to be highly resistant”. Many of the reactor contact with these chemicals. This is especially the
structures in contact with these waters have been case with the acid salts, which are likely to cause
made of austenitic stainless steels. pitting if the solutions are at all oxidizing in nature,
or considerable general attack if they are reducing.
The following discussion relative to behavior in so-
CORROSION BY SALT SOLUTIONS dium chloride solutions will apply in a general way
to behavior in other neutral or slightly alkaline halide
Neutral and Alkaline Salts- solutions.
Ofher than Halogen Compounds
The austenitic stainless steels are practically free It has been observed that pitting attack may in-
from corrosion by neutral and alkaline salts, including crease abruptly once some apparently critical tem-
those of a strongly oxidizing nature. The data’ in perature has been exceeded. This critical temperature
Table VII are indicative. is likely to be appreciably higher in the case of the
alloys that contain molybdenum, such as the Type
316 composition. Tests by BrennerP in 3-normal
Acid Salts-Other than Halogen Compounds
sodium chloride solution indicated a critical tempera-
The behavior of austenitic stainless steels in acid ture of about 130 F for Type 304 and over 160 F for
salt solutions follows naturally their performance in Type 3 16. Similarly Uhlig13 found that with Type 304
the acids released by hydrolysis, except that because corrosion tended to increase sharply above 140 F and
of the lesser acidity of the salt solutions their corrosive to reach a maximum at about 195 F. At higher tem-
characteristics are less severe and the stainless steels peratures the lower solubility of oxygen tended to
will resist attack over a broad range of concentration reduce the intensity of pitting attack.
and temperature. The alloys that contain molybdenum
frequently demonstrate an advantage under the more Uhlig also disclosed that corrosion increased with
severe conditions of acidity and temperature. The sodium chloride concentrations up to about 4 per cent,
results of a number of tests in acid salt solutions are beyond which there was little further effect of increas-
given in Table VIII. ing concentration.
TABLE VI
TABLE VII
Results of Some Corrosion Tests of Type 304 Stainless Steel in Neutral and Alkaline Salt Solutions
9
TABLE VIII
Results of Some Corrosion Tests of Stainless Steels in Acid Salt Solutions
-
Corrosion Rate, Depth of
mpy Pitting, mils
Corrosive Temp. Duration Location of -
Medium Concentration era- Aeration Velocity of Test Test Specimens
ture, F
Type 304
- . -___--. __---- -____ -_ _.--__ _.
Aluminum 7% 86 Complete 16 ft/min 20 hours Immersed
Sulfate
- -- -- _ _---- -- -_ _ _
Aluminum 20% 95 Nil 10 week S Immersed in <O.l Nil Nil Nil
Sulfate storage tank
-. -_
11
TABLE IX
T;w&;- Duration
Corrosive Medium Concentration , Aeration Velocity of Test
---. -~ _-
Aluminum Chloride 14% 50 Nil Nil 500 hours
. ___- _.
Ammonium Bifluoride 10% 77 Some Nil 61 days
._- -- _
Ammonium Chloride 3.4% 75-215 Nil Some 528 hours
._ -.
Ammonium Chloride 35% 225 - - 68 days
._--- _.
Ammonium Chloride 28-40% 77-216 - - 32 days
.- _
Ammonium Perchlorate 500 gpl 194 Nil Some 300 hours
____~ _ _
Barium Chlorate 350 gpl 212 Nil Some 400 hours
-___- ._ _
Boron Trifluoride Anhydrous 77 Nil Nil 12 days
._ -.
Boron Trifluoride + 0.08% Ha 1.5% in Hydrocarbon medium 175 Nil Some 12 days
_ -.
Calcium Chloride 58% 330 Nil Considerable 31 days
._ ~- .
Calcium Chloride 30% 10 Nil LOW 355 days
.. --
Cupric Chloride 10% 70 - Nil 24 hours
._
Ferric Chloride 10% 86 Saturated 16 ft/min 91 hours
-.
Ferric Chloride 10% 150 Saturated 16 ft/min 16.5 hours
_- --
Ferric Chloride 45% 86 Saturated 16 ft/min 91 hours
--
Ferrous Chloride Saturated 275 Nil Considerable 24 hours
-_
Ferrous Iodide 62% 75 Some Some 66 hours
--
Lithium Chloride 30% 240 Nil Considerable 40 days
.- -_
Magnesium Chloride 35% 160 Nil LOW 31 days
._ ._
Magnesium Chloride 48% 330 Nil Some 55 days
._ --
Manganous Chloride 37% 220 Low Considerable 19 days
.- -
Nickel Chloride Saturated 200 Nil Nil 26 days
._ -_
Potassium Chloride 31.5% 180 Some Slow 65 days
__ -_
Sodium Chloride Saturated 90 Considerable Some 90 days
_. -_
Sodium Chlorite pH 3.5-5 - 5% 77 - Nil 8days
_. -_
Sodium Biiuoride 8% 160 Considerable Considerable 10 days
- _- --
Sodium Bifluoride 3.7% 50 Considerable Considerable 30 days
-- ._ -.
Sodium Hypochlorite 2.9% 70 Nil Nil 25 days
._ __
Sodium Hypochlorite 0.1% 140 Nil Nil 1.3 days
_. - -.
Sulfur Chloride 98.3% 280 Nil Considerable 133 days
_- --
Uranium Trichloride 14% Boiling - - 6.8 days
__ _.
Zinc Chloride 50% 160 Nil Nil 27 days
12
TABLE IX
Corrosion of Stainless Steels in Hydrochloric Acid The good resistance of stainless steels to practically
all concentrations of phosphoric acid at moderate tem-
Acid Corrosion peratures has made them very useful and economical
AlSl Concentra- Tempera- Exposure Rate,
tion, y0 ture, F Phase
materials for equipment in the production and han-
Type mpy
_- dling of this acid. Corrosion rates in pure phosphoric
acid solutions under a variety of concentration and
302 3.6 76 Liquid 65
temperature conditions are shown in Table XII.
302 10.3 Room Liquid 84 Types 302 and 304 are satisfactory with most concen-
trations at room temperature. At higher temperatures,
302 25 76 Liquid 1,220 particularly with strong solutions, Type 316 is re-
quired. The limiting temperature for the latter alloy
302 37 Room Liquid 6,660
is about 225 F. If fluorides or chlorides are present in
316 Dilute 77 Vapor 1.2* hot plant phosphoric acid solutions, corrosion of the
stainless steels may be increased considerably. If solu-
316 10 216 Liquid 2,400
tions contain nitric acid, corrosion will be reduced.
316 SO 230 Liquid 42,000 Phosphoric acid can cause intergranular corrosion in
sensitized material. Hence the low-carbon versions of
* Pitting was 5 mils during test.
the stainless steels are preferred for welded equipment.
Sulfurous Acid
Type 304 and Type 347 are commonly used for Sulfurous acid will cause pitting of Types 302 and
nitric acid up to the boiling point, while Types 309 304 stainless steel but has only a slight corrosive ac-
and 310, stabilized with columbium, are better suited tion on the stainless steels containing molybdenum.
for use under pressure at temperatures above the boil- As a result, Type 316 is quite useful for ducts and
ing point. Unmodified chromium-nickel stainless steels, stacks handling flue gases which contain sulfur di-
when they contain precipitated carbides resulting from oxide.*” When the gases or solutions are hot, wet, and
sensitization in the temperature range 800-1650 F, contain some sulfuric acid, stainless steels containing
are susceptible to intergranular attack in nitric acid. copper may be necessary26* *‘. In the sulfite pulp paper
For this reason the columbium-stabilized alloys, Types industry Type 316 and 317 are used for heat ex-
347, 309Cb, and 310Cb, are used in equipment fabri- changers, digester linings, and circulating systems han-
cated by welding. Molybdenum additions, as found dling the hot sulfite liquors. Where conditions are not
in Types 3 16 and 317, do not improve resistance to as severe, as in steam injectors and blow pit linings,
corrosion by nitric acid. Types 304,308, and 347 may be used. In more severe
14
TABLE XI TABLE XII
Corrosion of Stainless Steels in Nitric Acid Corrosion of Stainless Steel in Phosphoric Acid
- - - -
Acid Corrosion Source Acid Corrosion
AISI tConcentratic ‘n, Tempera- Rate, (see AlSl Concen- Tempera- Exposure Rate,
Type % ture, F mpy below) Type 1tration, y0 ture, F Phase mpy
-- -- -- __- -- -___ _-
302 All* 60 <O.l 302 5 68 Liquid Nil
347 65 Boiling 50
304 95 90 1.1
CORROSION BY BASES
304 97 90 8.7
15
TABLE XIII TABLE XIV
Corrosion of Types 302 or 304 Stainless Steel in Corrosion in Acetic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
-
CCorrosion Rate, mpy
,NaOH Temperatu re, Corrosion Rate, Acid --
Concentration, y0 F mpy
Concentration, Tempera Duration of
Yo ture, F Test, days
:i”6”
100 750 68 -__ --___ -- --
0 to glacial Room up to 157 <0.18 <0.1
60 to 100 300-500 20
1 Boiling - <O.l’ <O.l
73 248-320 113
2.2b Boiling 45 >31’ 7.7
73 230 45
10 Boiling 7 70
73 221 8.4
10 Boiling 5 0.3
70 194-239 27
20 Boiling 112 2.6a 07
50 Boiling 15
50 Boiling 4 130 <l
50 149 0.1
80-100’ Boiling (801d 7.6 0.15
50 136 <O.l
80-100 Boiling (80)” 12 <O.l
30 149 <O.l
9gc Boiling 82 >66 2.5
30 68 <O.l
Glacial Boiling 21 31 0.8
22 131 <O.l
Consequently, they are used to a considerable extent Table XVII presents additional results from tests in
for storage of the acid and its utilization in processing a number of plant processes involving miscellaneous
such materials as cellulose acetates and foods. Types organic acids. It may be noted that all of these may be
3 16 and 317 are more resistant to boiling acid solu- handled and stored at room temperatures in the sim-
tions of intermediate concentration and are used for ple 18-8 alloys such as Types 302 and 304. At higher
16
TABLE XV TABLE XVI
AISI
Type
I Acid Content, %
I Tempera-
ture, F
Corrosion Rate,
mpy Type Alloy -_-
Corrosion Rate,
mpy
Max DepF,,;f
____ -
Pitting,
Acetic Formic
Liquid Vapor Liquid Vapor
Foods containing acids such as acetic, citric, malic, tar- CORROSION BY ELEMENTARY SUBSTANCES
taric, and lactic are processed in equipment made of
Type 304 or 316 stainless steel, Where salt is added Among the elements which are successfully and use-
during the processing of foods, Type 316 is preferred. fully handled in stainless steel equipment are mercury
A series of plant corrosion tests in the processing and and sulfur. Type 316 conveyer belts for molten sulfur
handling of a wide variety of foods showed the corro- are giving excellent service in a sulfur recovery
sion of austenitic stainless steel to be so low as to be process. In a process for winning mercury from its sul-
negligiblez8. Other tests have also demonstrated that fide ore, stainless steel is performing well in a con-
corrosion is so slight that contamination of foods dur- denser for recovering the mercury in gases coming
ing cooking and cold storage in stainless steel vessels from an ore roaster. In this case the gases also contain
is of no consequence 2s. Tests by the Federal Food and some sulfur dioxide and trioxide.
17
TABLE XVII
18
Considerable care must be exercised in the use of 13. Uhlig, H. H., and Morrill, M. C., “Corrosion of 18-g
stainless steels where halogens are to be encountered. Stainless Steel in Sodium Chloride Solutions,” Ind. Eng.
Types 304, 316 or 317 may be used for pipe lines to Chem. 33, 1941, p 875.
handle dry chlorine gas at low temperatures but are 14. Kiefer, G. C., and Renshaw, W. G., “The Behavior of
the Chromium Nickel Stainless Steels in Sulfuric Acid,”
not suitable for wet chlorine gas or hot chlorine, wet
Corrosion, 6, 1950, p 235.
or dry.31f 32 Severe attack by dry chlorine may be ex-
pected at temperatures over 600 F. In some cases, 15. Renshaw, W. G., “Stainless Steel,” Chem. Eng., 55,
calcium hypochlorite bleaching solutions, containing May 1948, p 242.
not more than 0.3 per cent available chlorine, can be 16. Fontana, M. G., “Corrosion Series,” Ind. Eng. Chem.,
safely handled in Type 304 vessels for short periods 44, March 1952, p 89A.
of time not exceeding four hours, followed by thorough 17. Wilkinson, E. R., “Mechanical and Metallurgical Con-
washing with water. However, Types 316 and 3 17 trol of Sulfuric Acid Corrosion in Petroleum Processes,”
generally are preferred for this type of service because Corrosion, 3, 1947, p 252.
of superior resistance to pitting. These materials are 18. ASTM Designation A 262-SST, “Boiling Nitric Acid
used to handle alkaline sodium hypochlorite bleach- Test for Corrosion-Resisting Steels,” ASTM Standards,
ing solutions containing 0.3 per cent available chlorine Part 3, 1961, p 382.
through entire bleaching cycles. 19. Hudson, F., “Corrosion-Resisting Cast Iron-Its Produc-
tion and Use,” Foundry Trade J., 58, 1938, p 277.
20. Sarjant, R. J., and Middleham, T. H., “Steels for Auto-
claves,” Trans. Chem. Eng. Congress of World Power
REFERENCES Conference, London, 1, 1936, p 66.
11. De Paul, D. J., “Corrosion and Wear Handbook for 31. “Chlorine vs Materials of Chemical Plant Construction,
Water-Cooled Reactors,” TID 7006, March 1957, U. S. Stainless Steel,” Research Dept., Allegheny Ludlum
Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., p 95. Steel Corp., Chem. Eng., 54, May 1947, p 241.
12. Brennert, S., “Influence of Temperature on the Occur- 32. Brown, M. H., DeLong, W. B., and Auld, J. R., “Corro-
rence of Pitting in Stainless Steel,” International Assoc. sion by Chlorine and by Hydrogen Chloride at High
Testing Materials, London Congress, 1937, p 44. Temperatures,” Ind. Eng. Chem., 39, 1947, p 839.
9
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