Guest Column: When Will I Benefit From Piping With AL-6XN Alloy Material?

By Mike Woods, CSI

Products containing chlorides and other salts can attack the tubing and fittings used to transport the products throughout a plant. Systems fabricated from 304 or 316 stainless steel can become leaky after prolonged contact with salty food and beverages, e.g. sports drinks and soy sauces. If the product is also acidic, like salsa, tomato sauce, or barbecue sauce, the attack is even more aggressive. Some reagents and products encountered in pharmaceutical production, e.g. hydrochlorides, can also contribute to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking.