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The excellent corrosion resistance of stainless steels can provide society and industry with better water quality and reduced environmental impact at lower cost. A European seminar was organised in Brussels in November 2003 by Euro Inox and CeoCor to highlight the opportunities for more use of stainless steels in the treatment, storage and distribution of drinking water. The article is based on a paper given at the seminar, augmented by highlights of other presentations.
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Type 304 and 316 have given good performance in many sites worldwide and are suitable for the majority of applications, including distribution of drinking, (potable), water. However, where soils are particularly aggressive, alloys providing a higher level of resistance such as 2205 duplex or superaustenitic stainless steels may be required: alternatively external protection may be applied.
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Localised corrosion mechanisms pitting, crevice and stress corrosion cracking are mentioned, but normally stainless steels are considered “inert” in supply, (or town’s), waters. The affect of chloride levels, temperature, oxygen levels, flow rates and bacterial oxidants, i.e. chlorine on the resistance of stainless steels in waters is discussed. Crevice corrosion should be rare at chloride levels below 200 and 1000 ppm, (mg/lt), respectively for 304, (1.4301 / 1.4307), and 316, (1.4401 / 1.4404) types. Water chloride ranges for duplex 1.4462, (2205), super austenitic 254SMO, (1.4547), and super duplex types SAF2507, (1.4410), and Zeron 100, (1.4501) are also shown.
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This BSSA Special Report, published in February 2003, provides a synopsis of a research project carried out by the BSSA on the suitability of stainless steel tube & fitting products for internal building plumbing applications. The material, environmental, economic and aesthetic benefits of stainless steels in plumbing applications are outlined and the use of stainless steel plumbing in Scottish hospitals reviewed. European regulations are summarised, before a discussion on the market place perceptions of stainless steels and cost analysis is discussed. It is concluded that stainless steel is particularly suited to large-scale plumbing installations, such as hospitals, children?s and old peoples homes, prisons, schools and hotels, where health and safety are prime considerations.
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Paper delivered by Chris Quinn at BSSA Conference 2000
