A test method for dewpoint corrosion of stainless steels in dilute hydrochloric acid

When acid-containing gases condense on a steel surface a phenomenon called dewpoint corrosion can occur. In this case severe attack can appear and the attack cannot be predicted from traditional immersion test data. Dewpoint corrosion can for instance be found in refinery overhead condensers and in waste incineration plants. An experimental set-up consisting of a closed glass loop has been constructed in which stainless steel samples are exposed to condensing conditions simulating a formed condensate of about 1% HCl. In the loop three stainless steels have been tested. For all three materials higher corrosion rates were found in the loop than obtained in immersion tests but in the same range as can be predicted from service experience.