Corrosion Resistance of 310S Stainless Steel

Alloys 309/309S and 310/310S are primarily used at elevated temperature to take advantage of their oxidation resistance. However, both of these stainless steel grades are resistant to aqueous corrosion due to their high chromium and nickel contents.

Although their higher nickel content provides marginal improvement with respect to chloride stress corrosion cracking (SCC) compared to the 18-8 stainless steel, Alloys 309/309S and 310/310S austenitic stainless steel tubing remain susceptible to this form of attack.

Certain applications specify the use of Alloy 310/310S stainless steel where increased resistance to aqueous corrosion is needed. An example is service in concentrated nitric acid, where preferential attack of grain boundaries may occur.