What chemicals in untreated water makes 304 type stainlees steel to become porose and water to leak?
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Question by Lalindra K: What chemicals in untreated water makes 304 type stainlees steel to become porose and water to leak?
304 type stainless steel reacts with some chemicals in untreated water and the container begins to leak. This is very common in solar water heater storage tanks.
Can you help? Leave your own answer in the comments!
5 Responses to What chemicals in untreated water makes 304 type stainlees steel to become porose and water to leak?
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Chlorine. Apparently it reacts with the Nickel in stainless steel and catalyzes the formation of Hydrogen, which causes cracks and then accelerats the process further… but now I’m just starting to plagirize Wikipeida. Link:
Enrique C
November 26, 2012 at 9:55 am
no
Lion
November 26, 2012 at 10:30 am
What you are really asking, is what chemicals in water can corrode Chromium and Vanadium, since that is what makes stainless steels ‘stainless’.
Basically, anything that will form free radicals can react with these metals. Common culprits include Chlorides, Flourides, and the like, but also such things as (bi)carbonates and nitrates can form weak acids that can attack Cr and Va.
Che jrw
November 26, 2012 at 10:35 am
Answer no. 1 is correct. Chlorine in the water will attack 304 SS. I recommend plastics for exposure to chlorine. Carpenter 20 stainless is also resistant to attack by chlorine.
Roadkill
November 26, 2012 at 10:52 am
I have never heard of such “common” leaks. How is it possible for trace of any corrosive in water to corrode and instantly cause leaks. Remember corrosion occurs over years and only corrodes in mm. For water to leak out the corrosion must atleat be in cm. Even then if Chlorine is responsible then the SS vessel should be lined from inside with glass or rubber, which will resist attack by chlorine. And as far as know, water is always treated before passing through Heat Exchangers. Atleast such “highly corrosive” substance would never be allowed in water, because treating the water, else using clean water in first place is more cheaper than to rectify the tank of “leaks”.
I would suggest you verify your question because as a Chemical Engineering student I never heard such things before.I bet you are not a technical person because you never write 304 type stainless steel ( even stainless spelling is wrong). It is written as SS 304. And porose should be written as porous (unless you have invented something like porose, please patent it)
If there is such thing happening I suggest you patent the “untreated water” because it can be used instead of drills.What say, Cheap and Quick
Lexus
November 26, 2012 at 11:17 am