Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Application

[cnuk]

I need to select a stainless steel grade for a cryogenic application. We use liquid nitrogen to drop the temperature of a steel pipe in order to remove an lining inside the pipe (differential thermal expansion causes cracking & thus removal). We load the tank with steel tubes at room temperature then close the lid (not pressurized, just an insulated lid) and start filling with liquid N2. After a while we remove the tubes and remove the lining from the tube.

We currently use a carbon steel tank and much to my surprise it has worked for many years. We are replacing it and I want to use a proper tank liner material. Based on what I've read it should be an austenitic stainless steel. Is there a preferred material type? Is 304 or 316 better?

Thank You

 

[CoryPad]

316 is better than 304 for corrosion resistance. If you are using this in a relatively inert environment, then 304 should be fine.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[stanweld]

E/ER316L filler metals generally provide greater toughness at -320 F than E/ER308L, primarily due to a lower ferrite level.

 

[cnuk]

Excellent guys. Thank you very much for sharing your expertise.