The Erosion-Corrosion Limits of Duplex Stainless Steels

When metals are exposed to highvelocity water, there is usually a threshold velocity at which erosioncorrosion rapidly accelerates the metal loss. This velocity is high for most stainless steels (SS); but when solids are present, the threshold velocity can markedly decrease. This work shows how limited testing and subsequent service data were used to confirm a design curve for super duplex SS in waters containing solids. It also describes four case histories where the design curve predicted super duplex SS would be satisfactory, and this was borne out by subsequent service performance.