Corrosion Resistant Materials

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Corrosion Resistance: How to Select the Right Material

A Guide to Corrosion Resistant Materials, Compatibility and Inspection

An offshore platform can have nearly 50,000 feet of tubing, more than 20,000 fluid system components, no fewer than 10,000 fittings, and as many as 8,000 mechanical connections. That’s why when selecting materials, it is important to choose corrosion resistant materials.

There are numerous aspects to consider when specifying materials to help manage corrosion. Many considerations go beyond the material itself. Although initial quality of material and manufacturing is important to fluid system component longevity, finding a provider with materials science expertise and the ability to support you in your materials selection decision-making can also make a difference when incorporating corrosion resistant materials into fluid systems.

What Causes Corrosion?

Corrosion happens when a metal atom is oxidized by a fluid, leading to a loss of material in the metal surface. This reduces the thickness of a component, for example, tubing, and makes it more prone to mechanical failure. Just about every metal corrodes under certain conditions, and many types of corrosion can occur, each posing a threat that must be evaluated when selecting the optimal corrosion-resistant materials for your application.

While the chemical composition of the material affects corrosion resistance, one of the most important factors in reducing failure due to material defects is the overall quality of the corrosion resistant materials used. From bar stock qualification to final inspection of components, quality should be part of every transaction.

Want to learn more about selecting the right materials to resist corrosion?

Browse our Materials Selection Guide

Material Inspection for Corrosion Resistant Material

The best way to prevent a problem is to detect it before it happens, which is why material inspection is so important. One way to do this is to ensure that the supplier has stringent quality control measures in place for corrosion prevention, beginning with process controls and bar stock material inspection. Material inspection can take many forms, from visually ensuring the material is free from surface flaws, to using non-destructive testing techniques, to performing specialized tests that detect susceptibility to corrosion.

Tour of our corporate raw materials facility to learn about the importance of validating material quality.

Graph showing chromium and nickel percentages in stainless steel Another way a supplier can help you verify the material’s suitability is to check for levels of specific elements in the material’s composition. For corrosion resistance, strength, weldability, and ductility; the starting point is an optimized composition of an alloy. As an example, greater quantities of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in Type 316 stainless steel than minimally required by American Society of Testing and Materials (now ASTM International) standard specifications result in materials that do not corrode easily. A supplier should always provide the chemical composition of a material and indicate compliance with standards published by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and ASTM International.

Why is Material Testing Important?

A supplier should perform material inspection on components at every step in the manufacturing process. The first step is verifying that proper manufacturing work instructions have been followed. Once the components are manufactured, further testing should confirm that the parts have been built correctly, with no visual defects or other imperfections that could hamper performance. Additional testing should ensure that components operate as intended and are leak tight.

What Role Does Materials Science Expertise Play in Corrosion Resistance?

Materials science icon Once you know that the material and the resulting components meet or exceed standards for performance, materials science expertise can help you make the right selections to address concerns integral to your operating environment. A supplier with a foundation in materials science and who is knowledgeable in corrosion resistant materials can make that selection easier.

On the technical side, considering factors such as mechanical properties and material compatibility can help you understand how to make the right choices.

Graph comparing yield strength and tensile strength for various materials

What Mechanical Properties Should Be Considered for Corrosion Resistant Material?

Mechanical properties icon Mechanical properties such as yield strength, tensile strength, and ductility are all important considerations for corrosion resistance. Higher-strength materials can be used to fabricate components that must work reliably at high pressures.

Why is Choosing Corrosion Resistant Material Important?

Material compatibility icon Choosing compatible materials can help fight the high cost of corrosion. NACE International estimates the recent total annual cost of corrosion at $1.4 billion USD for the entire oil and gas production industry. But when you can visually identify corrosion and know where to look for it, the risk can be minimized. Better yet, when engineers can anticipate corrosion make the best corrosion resistant material choices, system integrity, longevity of assets, performance, and safety improve.

Take these steps to reduce the impact of corrosion on your applications:

Identify types of corrosion– what it looks like, where it occurs, and why it happens
Select corrosion resistant materials
Minimize locations where corrosion can occur and reduce contact with non-compatible metals
Specify everything from the supports and clamps to the tubing itself to reduce the potential for corrosion

How Important Is Ongoing Support?

To ensure your application’s longevity, it’s vital to have ongoing support after your purchase. Installing fluid system components made from premium corrosion resistant materials is only the beginning, so be sure to select a supplier who knows your challenges and can recommend and support solutions that protect your material investments.

For example, we offer in-depth materials science training taught by experts with doctorates in materials science and metallurgical engineering. These courses are designed to help fluid system professionals with the knowledge needed to select components comprised of the right materials to provide long-lasting performance in challenging end-use environments. Reach out to schedule training at the link below, or to seek additional guidance on resisting corrosion.

Talk to a local Swagelok engineer about your corrosion concerns.

Swagelok engineered combinations on an offshore platform