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Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

(OP)
I need to select a stainless steel grade for a cryogenic application.  We use liquid nitrogen to drop the temperature of a steel pipe in order to remove an lining inside the pipe (differential thermal expansion causes cracking & thus removal).  We load the tank with steel tubes at room temperature then close the lid (not pressurized, just an insulated lid) and start filling with liquid N2.  After a while we remove the tubes and remove the lining from the tube.

We currently use a carbon steel tank and much to my surprise it has worked for many years.  We are replacing it and I want to use a proper tank liner material.  Based on what I've read it should be an austenitic stainless steel.  Is there a preferred material type?  Is 304 or 316 better?

Thank You

RE: Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

316 is better than 304 for corrosion resistance.  If you are using this in a relatively inert environment, then 304 should be fine.

Regards,

Cory

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RE: Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

E/ER316L filler metals generally provide greater toughness at -320 F than E/ER308L, primarily due to a lower ferrite level.  

RE: Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

(OP)
Excellent guys.  Thank you very much for sharing your expertise.

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