Abstract
The AISI type 316L stainless steel liner plates in the flash chambers of a multistage flash desalination plant, located on the Arabian Gulf coast, developed severe corrosion within 6 years of operation. The mode and causes of corrosion and the effect of heating (during annealing or welding) and temperature of salt solution on this attack were investigated. Specimens of liner plate were studied in the as received condition and after being heat treated at 900°C in air and air cooled to room temperature. Potentiodynamic polarisation techniques were used to determine corrosion rates. It was found that commercial grade 316L is susceptible to pitting, crevice, and grain boundary corrosion under the operating conditions in the desalination plant. The heat affected zone had larger grains and corroded more severely than other parts of the liner plates. Randomly distributed inclusions containing titanium, chromium, molybdenum, manganese, and sulphur were found in the liner plates. The as received specimens showed the lowest corrosion rate, followed in ascending order by heat treated and heat affected zone specimens.
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