Effect of chlorination on stainless steels in seawater

The effect of chlorination on the corrosion resistance of different stainless steels in North Sea water has been studied, the sea-water exposures being performed at two Norwegian seawater laboratories. In one laboratory test specimens, simulating various components used in a seawater cooling system, were immersed in the water. In the other laboratory a pipe system containing real components was studied. Seawater temperature, chlorine concentration and chlorination procedure have been varied at both laboratories. The steels investigated include highly alloyed grades like UNS S31254 (AVESTA 254 SMO), UNS S44635 (Avesta Monit) and UNS NO8028 (Sandvik Sanicro 28). The investigation shows that continuously chlorinated seawater is considerably more aggressive than unchlorinated or intermittently chlorinated seawater and that high temperature increases the risks of localized corrosion at the same chlorine concentration. The highest alloyed steel grades were very resistant to crevice corrosion even in continuously chlorinated water but certain kinds of metal-metal crevices have to be avoided. When welded, duplex UNS S31803 was sensitive to pitting corrosion in chlorinated water. Contrary to crevice corrosion, the risk for galvanic corrosion decreases considerably if the seawater is chlorinated.