Corrosion Resistance
Organic acids at high concentrations and moderate temperatures.
Inorganic acids, e.g. phosphoric and sulphuric acids, at moderate concentrations and temperatures. The steel can also be used in sulphuric acid of concentrations above 90% at low temperature.
Salt solutions, e.g. sulphates, sulphides and sulphites.
Caustic Environments
Austenitic steels are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. This may occur at temperatures above about 60°C (140°F) if the steel is subjected to tensile stresses and at the same time comes into contact with certain solutions, particularly those containing chlorides. Such service conditions should therefore be avoided. Conditions when plants are shut down must also be considered, as the condensates which are then formed can develop conditions that lead to both stress corrosion cracking and pitting.
SS316L has a low carbon content and therefore better resistance to intergranular corrosion than steels of type SS316.
