Can the composition of the water affect the corrosive effect in relation to stainless steel? We want to explain it in our post today.
Demineralized water. Is it corrosive for steel?
The composition of the water may impact significantly on the corrosive effect compared to stainless steel. Let’s look specifically:
- Demineralized water:
- with no impurity
- it is corrosive only at very high temperatures.
- Drinking water (or similar composition):
- moderate level of chlorides
What are the effects under certain conditions?
If you create specific “negative” conditions, pitting or crevice corrosion processes may occur (such as in high temperatures or in presence of chlorides), even stress-corrosion . If properly created many types of steel have excellent resistance to corrosion. Which ones? Stainless steel AISI 316, 316L and 316Ti. AISI 304 too, in many cases, can be used successfully.
Drinking water and galvanic corrosion. What are the risks?
The risk of galvanic corrosion is considered moderate in contact with drinking water. In fact, over the past decades, both pipes (for hot and cold water), fittings and tanks have been made with combinations of stainless steel, copper (or its alloys), red brass etc. This without causing any damage from contact corrosion. The risk of galvanic corrosion happens when the combination of galvanized steel and aluminum alloys comes into contact with poorly oxygenated water.
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