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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Will magnetism in 304L stainless steel cause corrosion?

Our potential supplier uses 304L stainless steel to manufacture hot water tank samples for us to do qualification. However, these tank samples are strongly magnetic due to cold working (forming). If we install these tanks into our coffee brewer, will the magnetic properties of these samples cause corrosion in both hot water (199 F) and cold water (tap water) condition in the long run?

Please advise!

Anthony Yuen
coffee brewer manufacturing - Wakefield, MA, United States
2004

Yes, any austenitic (300 series) stainless that is magnetic due to cold work will be susceptible to corrosion, specifically stress corrosion cracking (SCC). But type 304L should not be but very slightly magnetic even when severely cold worked. You need either a richer chemistry type 304L (more nickel for greater austenite stability) or the tanks need to be annealed after forming.

Ray B Anderson
retired metallurgical engineer - Kent, Ohio
2004

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