In water applications, material selection is based on corrosion resistance, formability, and cost. While S30403A is a standard choice, where the fluid corrosiveness exceeds its tolerance, a superior alloy grade such as S31603A is required. To offer a more economical and environmental alternative, Aperam developed the new 316A grade. A comparative study—including localized, crevice, and uniform corrosion assessments using electrochemical methods and intergranular corrosion trials—confirms this grade achieves corrosion resistance similar to S31603 across different temperatures and media. Now registered in ASTM standards1 as S30416, 316A provides a cost-effective solution for demanding water environments without compromising performance.2
Allion et al. (Tue,) studied this question.