Development of Ferritic Stainless Steels for Use in Desalination Plants

Abstract

This paper describes a research program aimed at optimizing the composition, heat treatment, and structure of ferritic stainless steels for use as condenser tube material in desalination plants. The results of corrosion tests carried out in a desalination plant are reported and discussed in relation to laboratory tests performed on the same alloy compositions. The corrosion measurements are used to outline general methods for maximizing the resistance of ferritic stainless steels to pitting and crevice crack attack in hot saline environments.