Corrosion tables and charts

Corrosion tables provide an initial guide to the selection of materials and are intended to facilitate understanding of the different types of corrosion damage that can arise due to poor materials selection. It is, however, well known that the performance of stainless steel in service can be profoundly affected by minor changes in the environment or use.

Scrubber close-up

Explore corrosion tables at Steel Finder

Visit Steel Finder to view corrosion tables and other detailed product data. You can either search for a chemical name or formula, or browse them alphabetically.

 

 

Corrosion table data

The tables are mainly based on results of laboratory tests, carried out with pure chemicals and water solutions nearly saturated with air. It must be pointed out that the corrosion rate can be quite different if the solution is free from oxygen
All concentrations are given in weight-% and the solvent is water if nothing else is shown. The corrosion data apply to annealed materials with normal microstructure and clean surfaces. Laboratory tests are not strictly comparable with actual service conditions, where the corroding medium often contains impurities. These may in some cases increase corrosion, in others decrease it. In unfavorable cases, the increase can be very great. Before making the final selection of material, it is therefore in many cases necessary to make tests. 

The most relevant results of laboratory tests are obtained if the  solution used is identical with that which occurs in practice. This  includes any effect impurities may have on corrosion. It is even  better to expose test pieces to the actual process or environment concerned. Weighing and microscopical examination of the test specimens after a certain period of exposure will give a good idea of the corrosion risks to be expected.

Advice on materials selection

When there is some doubt about the materials selection, it is always advisable to contact the technical service of the supplier of the material. It is very important to furnish full information about the corrosion conditions concerned.

The following information is necessary:
  •  Corrosion environment (including chemical formula if possible)
  • Concentrations (if possible also pH)
  • Content of impurities, e.g. Cl-, oxidising agents etc.
  • Temperature

Information concerning the type of structure, preferably with sketches, drawings or process descriptions, previously used materials, flow velocities, temperature variations, service life requirements etc., is also very valuable.

 

Outokumpu Classic family

Our Classic family combines the most commonly used stainless steel for mildly to high corrosive environments.

Moda
Core
Supra

Outokumpu Pro family

Our Pro family offers stainless steel products for specific applications or demanding end use.

Forta
Ultra
Dura
Therma
Prodec
Deco

Recommended reading

Technical article

High alloyed 654 SMO stainless steel closes the gap to titanium

Article

Achieving material cost predictability in the pulp and paper industry with lean du...

Article

Stainless steel stacks up for fuel cell bipolar plates

Case Stonecutters Bridge

Looking gorgeous even in a typhoon

Case Rabbit Hill Road Bridge

Gateway to the North

Case oil platforms

When corrosion is not an option

Article

What if thirst for fresh water could be relieved?

Article

What if stainless competed in the Olympics of Materials?

Article

What if bridges were built to last?