Materials Selection Matters in Battle Against Corrosion

Whether specifying materials for instrumentation lines, hydraulic power, chemical injection, deluge systems, or other demanding applications, special attention should be given to managing corrosion. Just about every metal corrodes under certain conditions, but with proper materials selection the threat can be minimized.

At Swagelok Minnesota | North Dakota | Appleton, we help simplify the selection process with our deep understanding of factors that contribute to corrosion, as well as the special properties of materials that help fight it. As a supplier with a diligent focus on proper materials selection, we provide:

• Products using alloys with at least two different elements in optimized concentrations to give superior corrosion resistance. Learn how we use materials with superior corrosion resistance to help our products perform better.
• A deep understanding of corrosion and suggestions for controlling its impact on your fluid systems. See steps for controlling corrosion. 
• Materials Science training opportunities. These courses are designed to help fluid system professionals select components comprised of the right materials to provide long-lasting performance in challenging end-use environments. Review course information.
• Confidence in quality control measures, which include a dedicated Raw Materials Facility, non-destructive testing, and thorough sampling for internal or surface defects.

Take a virtual tour of our Corporate Raw Materials Facility and see where our quality begins

Download our Materials Selection Guide as a quick reference to reduce corrosion 

How to Control Corrosion

When you can visually identify corrosion and know where to look for it, risks to your fluid system can be minimized. Better yet, when engineers can anticipate corrosion and make the best choices, system integrity, longevity of assets, performance, and safety can all improve.

You can take these steps to reduce the impact of corrosion on your applications:

• Identify types of corrosion— what it looks like, where it occurs, and why it happens
• Minimize locations where crevice corrosion can occur
• Avoid the contact of dissimilar metals, which can cause galvanic corrosion
• Select materials resistant to corrosion
• Specify everything from the supports and clamps to the tubing itself to reduce the potential for corrosion
• Understand requirements and standards
• Learn more through training and other resources

Identifying Corrosion

Corrosion is the physical degradation of a material due to interactions with its environment. It occurs when a metal atom is oxidized by a fluid, which leads to a loss of material in the metal surface. Corrosion reduces the surface's thickness and makes it more prone to mechanical failure.

Corrosion Resistant Metals

Selecting the right material for all of the numerous components used in an application isn't easy. Fortunately, our products give you the options you need for greater resistance against each corrosion type. Learn more about each metal, and our high standards for their use in our products:

High Quality Components Made from Corrosion Resistant Metals

To maintain a reliable, safe, and efficient fluid system, you need superior raw materials combined with manufacturing excellence. Our products are designed to stand up to the demands of challenging operating environments across a wide variety of industries. You'll appreciate the quality that comes from Swagelok and its components. Consider all of the options we offer for our product lines so you can select the right component: 

Requirements and Standards

If you need to adhere to the NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 sour gas standard, Swagelok fluid system components made from either 316/316L or special alloys meet the requirements... Read more.

To support NORSOK standards, we can quote orders for tube fittings, pipe fittings, and select general industrial valve products manufactured from NORSOK-certified material... Read more.

Key Components to Your Fluid System 

Download our Materials Selection Guide

Keep the information on this page at your fingertips with our free, print-friendly version of the Materials Selection Guide.