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SUS304 vs SS316L in Pharma 4

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janeku

Industrial
Nov 1, 2002
6
I've been offered Fluid bed dryer made from SUS304.
Other offer is for FBD made from SS316L.

I'm trying to decide which one is better against corrosion, because the working enviroment is mixed. Sometimes it is water based solvent for spraying, sometimes it is organic solvent for spraying of pelletes and tabletes.

For cleaning of the machine after production we use water and detergent, sometimes lemon acid and water, or natrium-bicarbonate with water.

I was searching thru this forum and find out that there is a little bit corrosion resistance of 316L, so i'm planing to purchase machine with SS316L.

Any suggestions, pro and contra, why not to use 304 instead of 316, or vice versa ???

I have to mention that untill now we have purchased machines with SS316L (contact surfaces) combined with SS306 (non contact suraces).
 
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Lacking specific corrosion data curves for each of you processes I would definitely go with the 316L dryer. 316 offers increased corrosion resistance under specific conditions to numerous chemicals compared to 304. Any increase in corrosion resistance will be appreciated with the application of heat as in your dryer as the corrosion product of SS is usually an intense blue green colorant.
The L grade of the 316 is an added bonus.
 
have a look on NACE CorSur, it's the best source for Corrosion data and maybe there are some for your fluid. As a general suggestion 316 is a better choice if some chloride are contained in the fluid.

S

 
For what it's worth, in the four pharmaceutical plants that we have serviced or constructed in the past decade, the vast majority of stainless steel equipment and piping has been 316L.

 
The reason to use 316 in this service isn't the general service environment, but what happens when some residual fluid is left. As it evaporates the impurities concentrate. I have even seen 316 fail under these conditions, but at least you have a chance.

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Plymouth Tube
 
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