Reduce Costs in Corrosive Environments with Engineered Alloy Combinations
Maintaining corrosion-resistant fluid systems in severe environments does not always require using the same alloy for every component. In many applications, engineered combinations of high-quality tube fittings and tubing made from different alloys can deliver the corrosion resistance, reliability, and performance needed while helping reduce overall system costs. In this video, learn how Swagelok applies material science expertise to evaluate alloy compatibility and develop cost-effective solutions for challenging operating conditions. Discover how engineered combinations can help optimize material selection, support system integrity, and provide long-term performance in corrosive environments without the expense of over-engineering your fluid systems.
Video Transcript
Choosing the right alloys for tube and tube fitting installations isn’t always easy, but it’s always important, especially in applications where your fluid systems are regularly exposed to severe environments. Corrosion-resistant materials are critical to maintaining system safety and reliable production. Traditional thinking holds that specifying exotic alloys throughout the entire system is an effective way to combat corrosion. This may be true, but it often results in an over-engineered solution that is not always necessary.
Instead, rather than using tubing and fittings of the same alloy material, engineered combinations of high-quality Swagelok tube fittings with more robust tubing alloys can result in a cost-effective, high-performing solution. Choosing high-quality materials is key to a reliable engineered combination.
316 stainless steel, in particular, can provide the needed corrosion resistance, but remember: not all stainless steel is created equal. Most stainless steel is formulated with nickel and chromium levels at the lower end of the ASTM requirements. This leaves them more susceptible to corrosion. Higher-quality stainless steel can help prevent common corrosion. Swagelok has maintained chromium content in its 316 stainless steel tube fittings at a minimum of 17 percent and nickel at a minimum of 12 percent for many years.
To validate the performance of its 316 stainless steel, Swagelok has completed extensive chloride stress corrosion cracking testing on its own fittings and those of other brands. After more than 700 hours of testing in a salt spray fog chamber at continuous working pressure, no Swagelok tube fittings cracked or leaked, while 39 percent of other-brand nuts cracked. This kind of testing validation shows that engineered combinations offer reliable corrosion resistance.
At Swagelok, we apply our knowledge in material science to your critical fluid system applications. Our recent expansion of engineered combinations has been driven by customer requests as they maintain existing assets and build new ones in challenging offshore environments. Swagelok tube fittings are available in several materials and can be paired with tubing of a different alloy, as shown.
Whether you need an engineered combination with 316 stainless steel or with other alloys, we can help with combinations that have been evaluated for all aspects of metal compatibility. The result is a cost-effective, high-performance solution you can trust. For more information about engineered combinations, including product test reports, contact your local authorized Swagelok sales and service center today.
