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U.S. Department of Energy
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The success and limitations of high alloy stainless steels in seawater service

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6686147
;  [1]
  1. Shell Research Ltd., Thornton Research Center, Chester CH1 3SH (GB)
The performance of high alloy stainless steels has been determined in chlorinated natural seawater in large scale and prototype seawater handling systems consisting of pumps, pipework and valves at ambient North Sea temperatures. In addition the influence of temperature on the corrosion characteristics of these alloys has been investigated. The results show that austenitic stainless steels with minimum molybdenum and nitrogen contents of 6% and 0.2% respectively and high alloy duplex stainless steels with minimum compositions of 25% Cr, 3% Mo and 0.15% N can be successfully used for the fabrication of seawater systems handling North Sea ambient or heated seawater. These alloys have some limitations, however, in areas of heat transfer, particularly where air spaces are present in a system; where dissimilar metal crevices are present and at positions where fretting can occur.
OSTI ID:
6686147
Report Number(s):
CONF-890437--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English