Section D20-B31.3-G, ASME B31.3 Process Piping Guide, App C Rev.
2, 3/10/09
General Guidance - Metals
The following is a brief description of some of the common metals used in valve construction, and their general use. CAST IRONS Generally used in low hazard services (e.g. water or oil). Cast irons have a low cost and are readily available. Disadvantages - no weld end valves, generally poor corrosion resistance, and code limitations. BRONZE Generally used in low hazard services (e.g. water or oil). Bronze alloys have a low cost and are readily available. They can have better corrosion resistance than Carbon Steel in some water services. Disadvantages - limited welding. CARBON STEEL Carbon steels are the standard selection for many services where corrosion resistance is not critical. It has a relatively low cost and is readily available. Disadvantages - generally poor corrosion resistance. TYPE 304(L) SS Austenitic stainless steels are used for their high resistance to oxidation and sulfidation, and where general resistance to corrosion is desired. They are also used widely for cryogenic services. Disadvantages - susceptibility to certain specific corrosion processes (e.g. stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion) in certain media. Type 304(L) is generally a special order valve material, and has been replaced as the standard stainless steel material with type 316(L). TYPE 316(L) SS Austenitic stainless steels are used for their high resistance to oxidation and sulfidation, and where general resistance to corrosion is desired. They are also used widely for cryogenic services. Type 316(L) has a better resistance to attack by reducing agents, and lower susceptibility to pitting than type 304(L). Disadvantages - susceptibility to certain specific corrosion processes (e.g. stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion) in certain media. ALLOY 20 Alloy 20 was developed to provide resistance to sulfuric acid over a wide range of concentrations and temperatures. It has good corrosion resistance to other media as well, and is widely used for handling caustic soda, organic acids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, sludge acids, etc. Disadvantage -- cost. MONEL Monel provides excellent resistance to sea water, and good resistance to aqueous sulfide and caustic. It is resistant to chloride stress corrosion cracking. It is widely used for handling alkalis, salt water, organic intermediates, and many air-free acids. Disadvantages -- poor resistance to sulfidation above 400F, and embrittled by sulfur and heavy metals at low concentrations during welding or heating. Corroded rapidly by ammonia and compounds. INCONEL Inconel is generally used for handling corrosive media at elevated temperatures. It provides good general corrosion and oxidation resistance, good elevated temperature strength, good resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking, and excellent corrosion resistance to caustic. Disadvantages - poor sulfidation resistance above 1000F creates working and welding problems, vulnerable to sensitization and intergranular cracking in some services, and cost. HASTELLOY B/B2 Hastelloy B provides good resistance to reducing atmospheres at elevated temperatures, and is very resistant to stress corrosion cracking. It is also used for handling hydrochloric acid vapor and varied concentrations of hot sulfuric, hydrochloric, and phosphoric acids. Disadvantages - cost, availability, sensitizes, and can be vulnerable to intergranular corrosion in many services. HASTELLOY C/C276 Hastalloy C provides good resistance to hypo-chlorites and other solutions containing free chlorine in considerable concentrations. It is also used for handling both oxidizing and reducing chemicals, and is very resistant to stress corrosion cracking. Disadvantages cost,availability.