Why do stainless steel surfaces corrode despite the use of a corrosion-resistant material?

Iron based stainless steel alloys protects itself with an extremely thin chromium oxide enriched passive layer. If this protection layer is (locally) damaged, altered or attacked by aggressive media, discolouration, etc. uniform corrosion or even local corrosion effects like pitting corrosion or similar will occur. Areas with improper final surface treatment, welded joints, extremely rough surfaces, high rate of singular areas and assembly points containing strange particles like iron oxides are particularly at risk – often in combination with chlorine-containing environments. In regulated industries, such issues threaten not only the product’s appearance but also its approvals and product safety. NIROPLAN systematically analyses, prioritises risks and provides solutions and countermeasures.

Technical background concerning advanced corrosion analysis

  • Causes: Not correct material choice, improper or absence of correct surface treatment, poor design, chromium oxide-depleted zones at weld seams, foreign particles (e.g. iron abrasion or iron oxide particles), incompatible cleaning agents (e.g. those containing chloride), exposure to chloride containing environment, etc.
  • Consequences: Visual changes of the surface, such as typical discolouration, can lead to pitting corrosion, stress corrosion, etc. and a loss of functionality; in the sensitive pharmaceutical, biotech and food industry this can result in unexpected production downtime and legal liability issues
  • Testing methods: Profilometry (Ra/Rz), microscopy, SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), chemical analysis, metallography, corrosion analysis CPT (Critical Pitting Temperature) and CPP (Critical Pitting Potential), XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence), Ferroxyl-Test acc. to ASTM A 380, etc.

How can NIROPLAN help?

NIROPLAN diagnoses the related (corrosion) system and the corrosion type and circumstances, is defining priorities and implements verifiable solutions for rehabilitation and fully controlled solutions for future processing.

We assess your issue based on your description and photos

Please use our form for this
"Describe the problem now".

Initial assessment (within less than 48 hours in central Europe)

Offer & scope of work

Executed: On-site and in our laboratory

Report preparation and follow-up including rehabilitation proposal

Case studies from industrial stainless steel processing

Root cause analysis, measures and measurable results from food, sensitive pharmaceutical and biotech production as well as ultrahigh pure gas application equipment.

We solve problems with decades of expertise

Consulting & Advisory Services

Root cause analysis, surface treatment, rehabilitation proposals like additional surface treatments, process optimisation

Expert Reports & Damage Analysis

Corrosion reports, causes, corrective measures

Inspection & Measurement Services

VT, PMT (XRF-Analyses), surface roughness measurement, surface microscopy, SEM-EDX, ESCA/XPS, CPT, CPP

Research & Development

Customised solutions for surface treatment

Problem-oriented rather than catalogue-based:

  • Documentation suitable for inspections and audits
  • Immediate response (initial assessment within 48 hours)
  • White papers and checklists
  • Partner network for advanced analytics
Contact – Austria

Christoph Odwody
+43 2842 20778 534
+43 664 169 2815
c.odwody@niroplan.at

NIROPLAN GmbH
Chemical laboratory and Consulting Engineers
Consultancy specialising in surface and corrosion issues relating to iron-based stainless steel alloys and also high alloyed materials like Ni-based alloys, as well as weld quality and component testing, and safety advisors.

Stoißmühle 2
A – 3830 Waidhofen / Thaya (Austria)

Contact – Germany

Benedikt Henkel
+49 (0)176 1106 1100
b.henkel@niroplan.com

Office in Germany:
Hofriedealle 4
D – 21521 Aumühle (near Hamburg)

Laboratory address in Germany:
HENKEL GmbH u. Co. KG
An der Autobahn 12
D – 19306 Neustadt-Glewe

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