Corrosion Performance Evaluation of 316L Stainless Steel Material via Jet Impingement and Electrochemistry for Sulfuric Acid Applications

Abstract Type 316L stainless steel is extensively used in industrial applications due to its superior corrosion resistance, attributed to its molybdenum content. While its performance in static environments is well-established, its behavior under dynamic, high-velocity flow conditions, especially in the presence of sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures—remains less thoroughly understood. This study examined the corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel under jet impingement conditions to simulate realistic processing environments. Electrochemical methods, including linear polarization, were utilized to assess passive film stability and quantify general corrosion rates across varying flow velocities and temperatures (40–60°C). The findings offer valuable insights into the suitability of 316L for low-concentration, high-flow acid service conditions. Jet impingement testing in 1.5 wt.% H2SO4 at 40°C and 60 ± 1°C under 1 barg pressure across four flow velocities revealed corrosion rates below 0.1 μm/year. Cyclic polarization scans indicated no signs of localized corrosion under these conditions, further confirming the robustness of 316L in aggressive flow environments.