Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
(OP)
Auditor insisting all carbon steel bolts be replaced with stainless on SS code vessels, but I have not got a definitive answer why?
Talking thousands of carbon bolts ($$$) that have been in service with no problem for years. I must be missing something
Any dialogue would be appreciated.
Talking thousands of carbon bolts ($$$) that have been in service with no problem for years. I must be missing something
Any dialogue would be appreciated.





RE: Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
If he can't cite a specific violation or non-compliance just tell him to go away.
Also, it's unusual for an audit process to direct a "corrective action". Typically the audit identifies "findings", and the auditee responds with the corrective action, which may be "it's fine as it it."
RE: Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
There are a few reasons to consider SS fasteners:
1) External corrosion conditions, where you're worried about the CS fasteners being eaten either directly or as a result of galvanic corrosion.
2) Concerns about contamination of the stainless steel surface by contact with the carbon steel, leading to premature corrosion of the stainless steel. This is usually a dumb one- not really a concern.
3) Very high temperature operation, where the temperature limits of the CS fasteners are exceeded.
4) Surface cleanliness/cleanability for high purity applications
No inspector should be telling you what needs to be used without a reference.
RE: Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel
the max plant temp is 450 F but seldom runs at that high of temp.
RE: Why replace carbon steel bolts with Stainless Steel