Stainless steels cast, corrosion

Corrosion of industrial alloys in alkaline waters is not as common or as severe as attack associated with acidic conditions. Caustic solutions produce little corrosion on steel, stainless steel, cast iron, nickel, and nickel alloys under most cooling water conditions. Ammonia produces wastage and cracking mainly on copper and copper alloys. Most other alloys are not attacked at cooling water temperatures. This is at least in part explained by inherent alloy corrosion behavior and the interaction of specific ions on the metal surface. Further, many dissolved minerals have normal pH solubility and thus deposit at faster rates when pH increases. Precipitated minerals such as phosphates, carbonates, and silicates, for example, tend to reduce corrosion on many alloys. 

The specimen design used in the study by Rostoker et al. was such that it simulated both galvanic coupling and crevice conditions. Specimens were immersed in a 1% saline solution at 37 C, and examined by optical microscopy after exposures of a few to 100 days. No corrosion was observed on Ti-6A1-4V when the alloy was either uncoupled, coupled with itself (simple crevice). Or coupled with type 316L stainless steel, cast Co-Cr-Mo... 

If the buried metal structure involves contact between different metals (such as mild steel, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, zinc, lead, stainless steel, cast iron, etc.), it is possible that local galvanic cells can form in the contact areas (Figs. 8-9). Each mettd has its own tendency to corrode. An alternative way to express the metal reactivity is to look at the excess of its free energy (standard electrochemical metal potential) and predict the electromotive force emf) between metals in contact, as a general indication for the corrosion process (Table 2). The metal that has a more positive potential is nobler in the galvanic cell, and it is a cathode. The metal with a more negative potential is more active and acts as an anode in the corrosion cell, e.g., it suffers corrosion. 

Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Castings... 

C. McCaul. 1991. Evaluation of intergranular corrosion susceptibility in as as-welded high alloy austenitic stainless steel casting, British Corrosion Journal, December. 

Tellurium improves the machinability of copper and stainless steel, and its addition to lead decreases the corrosive action of sulfuric acid on lead and improves its strength and hardness. Tellurium is used as a basic ingredient in blasting caps, and is added to cast iron for chill control. Tellurium is used in ceramics. Bismuth telluride has been used in thermoelectric devices. 

Nickel-based aUoys have superior corrosion resistance to Hon-based aUoys. The only aUoys recommended for hot hydrochloric acid use are Ni—Mo aUoys containing 60—70% Ni and 25—33% Mo. Chlorimet (63 Ni, 32 Mo, 3 Fe) and HasteUoy (60 Ni, 28 Mo, 6 Fe) are found to be stable at aU acid concentrations in the absence of aH and Hon chlorides. Electroless nickel, a Ni—P aUoy containing 2—10% P, shows exceUent resistance to hot hydrogen chloride (71). The corrosion resistance increases with phosphoms content. This coating can be deposited on cast Hon, wrought Hon, mild steel, stainless steels, brass, bron2e, and aluminum (qv). 

Nickel—Iron. A large amount of nickel is used in alloy and stainless steels and in cast irons. Nickel is added to ferritic alloy steels to increase the hardenabihty and to modify ferrite and cementite properties and morphologies, and thus to improve the strength, toughness, and ductihty of the steel. In austenitic stainless steels, the nickel content is 7—35 wt %. Its primary roles are to stabilize the ductile austenite stmcture and to provide, in conjunction with chromium, good corrosion resistance. Nickel is added to cast irons to improve strength and toughness. 

Shipment nd Stora.ge, Sulfur monochloride is minimally corrosive to carbon steel and iron when dry. If it is necessary to avoid discoloration caused by iron sulfide formation or chloride stress cracking, 310 stainless steel should be used. Sulfur monochloride is shipped in tank cars, tank tmcks, and steel dmms. When wet, it behaves like hydrochloric acid and attacks steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steels, copper and copper alloys, and many nickel-based materials. Alloys of 62 Ni—28 Mo and 54 Ni—15 Cr—16 Mo are useful under these conditions. Under DOT HM-181 sulfur monochloride is classified as a Poison Inhalation Hazard (PIH) Zone B, as well as a Corrosive Material (DOT Hazard Class B). Shipment information is available (140). 

Acid Coolers. Cast Hon trombone coolers, once the industry standard (101), are considered obsolete. In 1970, anodically passivated stainless steel sheU and tube acid coolers became commercially available. Because these proved to have significant maintenance savings and other advantages, this type of cooler became widely used. Anodic passivation uses an impressed voltage from an external electrical power source to reduce metal corrosion. 

The higher boiling phenols, present in considerable amounts in CVR and low temperature tars, are corrosive to mild steel, especially above 300°C. Cast iron, chrome steel, and stainless steel are more resistant. Furnace tubes, the insides of fractionating columns, and the rotors of pumps handling hot pitch and base tar are generally constmcted of these metals. Nevertheless, to ensure satisfactory furnace tube life, particularly in plants processing CVR or low temperature tars, the tube temperature should be kept to a minimum. 

Corrosion. Copper-base alloys are seriously corroded by sodium thiosulfate (22) and ammonium thiosulfate [7783-18-8] (23). Corrosion rates exceed 10 kg/(m yr) at 100°C. High siUcon cast iron has reasonable corrosion resistance to thiosulfates, with a corrosion rate <4.4 kg/(m yr)) at 100°C. The preferred material of constmction for pumps, piping, reactors, and storage tanks is austenitic stainless steels such as 304, 316, or Alloy 20. The corrosion rate for stainless steels is <440 g/(m yr) at 100°C (see also Corrosion and corrosion control). 

Carbon disulfide is normally stored and handled in mild steel equipment. Tanks and pipes are usually made from steel. Valves are typically cast-steel bodies with chrome steel trim. Lead is sometimes used, particularly for pressure reUef disks. Copper and copper alloys are attacked by carbon disulfide and must be avoided. Carbon disulfide Hquid and vapor become very corrosive to iron and steel at temperatures above about 250°C. High chromium stainless steels, glass, and ceramics maybe suitable at elevated temperatures. 

Chlorosulfuric acid attacks brass, bronze, lead, and most other nonferrous metals. From a corrosion standpoint, carbon steel and cast Hon are acceptable below 35°C provided color and Hon content is not a concern. Stainless steels (300-series) and certain aluminum alloys are acceptable materials of constmction, as is HasteUoy. Glass, glass-lined steel, or Teflon-lined piping and equipment are the preferred materials at elevated temperatures and/or high velocities or where trace Hon contamination is a problem, such as in the synthetic detergent industry. 

Table 17. Cast Stainless Steels, Corrosion and Heat-Resistant Grades...

Ejectors are available in many materials of construction to suit process requirements. If the gases or vapors are not corrosive, the diffuser is usually constructed of cast iron and the steam nozzle of stainless steel. For more corrosive gases and vapors, many combinations of materials such as bronze, various stainless-steel alloys, and other corrosion-resistant metals, carbon, and glass can be used. 

Stainless Steel There are more than 70 standard types of stainless steel and many special alloys. These steels are produced in the wrought form (AISI types) and as cast alloys [Alloy Casting Institute (ACI) types]. Gener y, all are iron-based, with 12 to 30 percent chromium, 0 to 22 percent nickel, and minor amounts of carbon, niobium (columbium), copper, molybdenum, selenium, tantalum, and titanium. These alloys are veiy popular in the process industries. They are heat- and corrosion-resistant, noncontaminating, and easily fabricated into complex shapes. 

Stainless steel, ferritic 17% Cr type 0 2 0 2 <400 Wronglit, cast, clad Good Good 7S 6.0 AlSl type 430 ASTM corrosion- and heat-resisting steels... 

TABLE 28-14 Standard Cast Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steels ... 

Oxygen corrosion only occurs on metal surfaces exposed to oxygenated waters. Many commonly used industrial alloys react with dissolved oxygen in water, forming a variety of oxides and hydroxides. However, alloys most seriously affected are cast irons, galvanized steel, and non-stainless steels. Attack occurs in locations where tuberculation also occurs (see Chap. 3). Often, oxygen corrosion is a precursor to tubercle development. 

Changing the pump metallurgy to a more corrosion- and cavitation-resistant material, such as stainless steel, is a potential solution to this type of problem. Note, however, that all other cast iron pump components that have sustained graphitic corrosion should be replaced to avoid the possibility of galvanic corrosion (see Chap. 16) between retained graphitically corroded cast iron components and new components. 

The austenitic cast irons are in widespread use in many industries (food, pharmaceutical, petroleum, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, etc.) in mildly corrosive and erosive situations where the life of unalloyed or low-alloy cast iron or steel is short, but the high cost of stainless steel and nonferrous alloys cannot be justified. 

Materials of construction for this type of unit are usually modular cast iron rotors on steel shafts and cast iron casings or bodies. For special requirements in corrosive situations that cannot be remedied by changing the seal liquid, pumps can be furnished in Type 316 stainless steel or other alloys (expensive). 

See Figure 12-8. Pistons may be of aluminum, built-up carbon or graphite, cast iron, cast steel, fabricated and metaUzed steel, stainless steel, or forged carbon or stainless steel. The selection involves the corrosive nature of the gas plus the weight-balancing problem of the compressor manufacturer. 

---