×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Upgrading 304 Stainless
2

Upgrading 304 Stainless

Upgrading 304 Stainless

(OP)

Are there any finishes/treatments/processes that can be done to "upgrade" 304/304L Stainless parts (i.e. tubes, elbows, bellows ... etc.) into a corrosion resistance state close to that of the 316/316L?
The parts are being used in intake and exhaust systems on a fuel cell, so they'll be experiencing temperatures around 80C (max), also water as a by product is present.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,

RE: Upgrading 304 Stainless

If the components have not been passivated and/or electropolished, then do this.  Otherwise, there is nothing that can make 304 as good as 316.  The 2% Mo in 316 is there for a reason...

RE: Upgrading 304 Stainless

If the 304 hasn't yet been produced there is a lot of latitude within the 304 spec to enhance it. Specify very low sulfur;less than 0.002% can easily be achieved. Ask that it be titanium deoxidized. This is routinely done by producers such as Allegheny for 316, and it does a great deal. TVP is right in that an electropolished surface finish is the single best thing you can do. If that's not possible a bright annealed surface is almost as good. Much 316 contains 0.008% or more sulfur which I have data to prove results in pitting corrosion resistance no better than ultra low sulfur 304.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources