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Stainless Steel Handrails are rusting in under a month

Hello,

we are the fabricator and a 20 days before we put some stainless steel handrails in Dubai. all tubes are in hairline finish and used in a balcony of the buildings

and now they all give some indications of rust, not 100% but at some parts of the tubes,

so anyone can help me in why 316 ss attracts rust?

Regards,

Mark James
industrialist - Dubai, UAE
July 28, 2008

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August 2, 2008

Hi Mark,

I suspect that the problem is not due to the 316 SS but inclusions (embedded particles) from the scratch brushing (my interpretation of "hairline"). Suggest modifying the brushing process - perhaps an additional fine brush or change of type of brush.

Being a chemist, my mind turns to chemical treatments but I know that adding wet chemical processes in an otherwise dry environment is not readily welcomed!


Harry Parkes
- Birmingham, UK

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Hello Mark,

last year we did some tests with stainless steel 316 in Dubai, the outcome of those tests were that 316 + electropolishing the best treatment is for stainless steel in those environment (maritime + dessert) All other treatments did show corrosion or staining within a few weeks. If I am right they are now using ground stainless steel tubes for the facade of the Burj Dubai (>800 mtr. high) so within a few weeks/months they will have the same problem as you.

Klaas de Boer
- Heerenveen, the Netherlands
August 5, 2008

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It depends a lot upon the environment. The chlorides that sea water puts into the air are very harsh on stainless. In a coastal area, even 316 will always eventually start showing signs of corrosion. Passivation can hold it off for longer, but not permanently. Periodic repassivation treatment is generally required.

Wiping on a very thin coating of fish oil or WD-40 ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] type of product can help protect the surface from the chlorides, as can a regular rinsing with fresh water.

Ray Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois

August 26, 2008

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September 23, 2009

Hey Mark,
I agree with Klaas. 316 + electropolishing is your best bet to remove the rust and increase corrosion resistance immensely. Make sure you electropolish as the last step in your manufacturing process before installation for future not-yet constructed rails.
To remedy the existing rails, if you can, un-install the railings and have them electropolished at a shop. A close second would be to search for mobile electropolishing machines and process on site.

Cliff Kusch
electropolishing shop - North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Hello Mark,

For the future, why don't you consider using more corrosion resistant stainless steel grades (317 L or even DUPLEX 2205) ?

Bertrand Gabriel
- Zelzate, Belgium
November 18, 2009