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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Stainless steel for sea water

Can we use 904L in sea water service?

C.S.Adivaraghan
- Ulsan, South Korea
2003

904L stainless steel (UNS designation N08904) is used in applications where resistance to chloride ions is necessary. This alloy has better pitting resistance than conventional austenitic stainless steels like Types 304 and 316, due to the addition of ~ 4% molybdenum. It is not completely immune to pitting or crevice corrosion, however, which is dependent on chloride concentration, temperature, flow conditions, etc. Without more information on these details, as well as the geometry of the component(s), it is impossible to provide you with a complete answer. If the conditions are aggressive enough then a higher alloyed grade like Al-6XN (UNS N08367) or 254 SMO (UNS S31254) may be necessary.

Toby Padfield
- Michigan
2003

Hot-diffusion zinc galvanizing will protect s.s. in marine applications.

Zvi Lahat
- Israel
2003