Part two - Page 2

Chemical compatibility and resistance of stainless steel

Article Index

Page 2 of 3

Stainless steel is a strong and durable material with a wide range of applications. Its chemical resistance makes it ideal for use in environments where other metals may corrode.

Stainless steel has high resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, salts and organic compounds. However, it is important to note that not all types of stainless steel are equally resistant to all chemicals. The type of stainless steel that is most suitable for a particular application will depend on the type of chemicals it will encounter, as well as the operating conditions.

It is important to consider all factors when selecting and using stainless steel.

A - excellent;
B - good;
C - average or poor;
D - not recommended.

Table No. 4
Chemical substance	AISI 304	AISI 316
Freon TF	A	A
Freon® 11	A	A
Fruit Juice	A	A
Fuel Oils	A	A
Furan Resin	A	A
Furfural	A	B
Gallic Acid	A	B
Gasoline (high-aromatic)	A	A
Gasoline, leaded, ref.	A	A
Gasoline, unleaded	A	A
Gelatin	A	A
Glucose	A	A
Glue, P.V.A.	A	A
Glycerin	A	A
Glycolic Acid	A	A
Gold Monocyanide	A	A
Grape Juice	A	A
Grease	-	A
Heptane	A	A
Hexane	A	A
Honey	A	A
Hydraulic Oil	A	A
Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic)	A	A
Hydrazine	A	A
Hydrobromic Acid 100%	D	D
Hydrobromic Acid 20%	D	D
Hydrochloric Acid 100%	D	D
Hydrochloric Acid 20%	D	D
Hydrochloric Acid 37%	D	D
Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas	D	D
Hydrocyanic Acid	B	A
Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%)	-	-
Hydrofluoric Acid 100%	D	D
Hydrofluoric Acid 20%	D	B
Hydrofluoric Acid 50%	D	D
Hydrofluoric Acid 75%	D	D
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100%	D	D
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20%	C	B
Hydrogen Gas	A	A
Hydrogen Peroxide 10%	B	A
Hydrogen Peroxide 100%	B	B
Hydrogen Peroxide 30%	B	A
Hydrogen Peroxide 50%	B	A
Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua)	C	A
Hydrogen Sulfide (dry)	C	A
Hydroquinone	B	B
Hydroxyacetic Acid 70%	-	-
Ink	C	C
Iodine	D	D
Iodine (in alcohol)	-	-
Iodoform	A	A
Isooctane	A	A
Isopropyl Acetate	C	A
Isopropyl Ether	A	A
Isotane	-	-
Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5)	A	A
Kerosene	A	A
Ketones	A	A
Lacquer Thinners	A	A
Lacquers	A	A
Lactic Acid	B	B
Lard	A	A
Latex	A	A
Lead Acetate	B	B
Lead Nitrate	B	B
Lead Sulfamate	C	C
Ligroin	-	A
Lime	A	A

Table No. 5
Chemical substance	AISI 304	AISI 316
Linoleic Acid	B	A
Lithium Chloride	A	A
Lithium Hydroxide	B	B
Lubricants	A	A
Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide	B	B
Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide	B	A
Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide	B	B
Magnesium Bisulfate	A	A
Magnesium Carbonate	B	B
Magnesium Chloride	D	D
Magnesium Hydroxide	B	A
Magnesium Nitrate	B	B
Magnesium Oxide	A	A
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)	A	B
Maleic Acid	A	B
Maleic Anhydride	A	A
Malic Acid	A	A
Manganese Sulfate	B	B
Mash	A	A
Mayonnaise	C	A
Melamine	-	D
Mercuric Chloride (dilute)	D	D
Mercuric Cyanide	C	C
Mercurous Nitrate	A	A
Mercury	A	A
Methane	A	A
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol)	A	A
Methyl Acetate	A	B
Methyl Acetone	A	A
Methyl Acrylate	A	-
Methyl Alcohol 10%	A	A
Methyl Bromide	A	A
Methyl Butyl Ketone	A	A
Methyl Cellosolve	B	B
Methyl Chloride	A	A
Methyl Dichloride	-	-
Methyl Ethyl Ketone	A	A
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide	-	-
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone	B	B
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone	A	A
Methyl Methacrylate	B	B
Methylamine	A	A
Methylene Chloride	B	B
Milk	A	A
Mineral Spirits	A	A
Molasses	A	A
Monochloroacetic acid	A	A
Monoethanolamine	A	A
Morpholine	-	-A-
Motor oil	A	A
Mustard	A	A
Naphtha	A	A
Naphthalene	A	A
Natural Gas	A	A
Nickel Chloride	D	C
Nickel Nitrate	B	B
Nickel Sulfate	B	B
Nitrating Acid (<15% HNO3)	C	D
Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4)	C	C
Nitrating Acid (<1% Acid)	C	A
Nitrating Acid (<15% H2SO4)	C	C
Nitric Acid (20%)	A	A
Nitric Acid (50%)	A	A
Nitric Acid (5-10%)	A	A
Nitric Acid (Concentrated)	A	A
Nitrobenzene	B	B
Nitrogen Fertilizer	-	-
Nitromethane	A	A

Table No. 6
Chemical substance	AISI 304	AISI 316
Nitrous Acid	B	B
Nitrous Oxide	B	B
Oils: Aniline	A	A
Oils: Anise	-	A
Oils: Bay	-	A
Oils: Bone	-	A
Oils: Castor	A	A
Oils: Cinnamon	A	A
Oils: Citric	A	A
Oils: Clove	A	A
Oils: Coconut	A	A
Oils: Cod Liver	A	A
Oils: Corn	A	A
Oils: Cottonseed	A	A
Oils: Creosote	B	B
Oils: Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50)	A	A
Oils: Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6)	A	A
Oils: Ginger	D	D
Oils: Hydraulic Oil (Petro)	A	A
Oils: Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic)	A	A
Oils: Lemon	A	A
Oils: Linseed	A	A
Oils: Mineral	A	A
Oils: Olive	A	A
Oils: Orange	A	A
Oils: Palm	A	A
Oils: Peanut	A	A
Oils: Peppermint	A	A
Oils: Pine	A	A
Oils: Rapeseed	A	A
Oils: Rosin	A	A
Oils: Sesame Seed	A	A
Oils: Silicone	A	A
Oils: Soybean	A	A
Oils: Sperm (whale)	A	A
Oils: Tanning	A	A
Oils: Transformer	A	A
Oils: Turbine	A	A
Oleic Acid	A	A
Oleum 100%	A	A
Oleum 25%	B	B
Oxalic Acid (cold)	B	A
Ozone	B	A
Palmitic Acid	B	A
Paraffin	A	A
Pentane	C	C
Perchloric Acid	C	C
Perchloroethylene	B	A
Petrolatum	A	A
Petroleum	A	A
Phenol (10%)	B	B
Phenol (Carbolic Acid)	B	B
Phosphoric Acid (>40%)	D	D
Phosphoric Acid (crude)	D	B
Phosphoric Acid (molten)	-	C
Phosphoric Acid (<40%)	D	C
Phosphoric Acid Anhydride	-	-
Phosphorus	A	A
Phosphorus Trichloride	A	A
Photographic Developer	A	A
Photographic Solutions	D	-
Phthalic Acid	B	A
Phthalic Anhydride	A	A
Picric Acid	B	B
Potash (Potassium Carbonate)	B	B
Potassium Bicarbonate	B	B
Potassium Bromide	B	B
Potassium Chlorate	B	B