Materials and Corrosion 2009. 60. No. 1: Do:101002/mac0.200805198 Corrosion Concepts In this forum readers will be able to present practical problems experience will become a permanent feature of this periodical. for discussion. It is ed that these contributions will We are particularly anxious that both Senior Scientists and those include not only discussion of general problems and incidents of with more practical experience will make use of this forum to corrosion but that suggested remedies will also be presented and exchange information, problems and potential remedies. discussed. It is hoped that this exchange of knowledge and Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes in terephthalic acid(TA)dryer Y. Gong, J. Cao, X.-H. Meng and Z -G. Yang Grade 316L is a type of austenitic stainless steel with ultra-low carbon content and it exhibits superior corrosion resistance. However, pitting is always observed in 316L steel when it is exposed to media containing halide ions In the present study, we found that in the presence of acetate acid( HAc)containing chloride or bromide ions, pitting occurred on the surface of the rotary steam pipes with the matrix material of 316L steel terephthalic acid(TA)dryer. In order to identify the causes of the failure metallographic structures and chemical compositions of the matrix material were inspected by an optical microscope(OM)and a photoelectric direct reading spectrometer. Beside these, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)as well as ion chromatography(IC) were used to analyze the micromorphologies of the corrosion pits and the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits within them. Analysis of the results revealed the sources of halide ions and the factors accelerating the corrosion rate. Beside these, detailed mechanisms of pitting were discussed and six out of all the seven theoretical morphologies of pitting features were obtained in practice 1 Introduction etc, it is still the most widely applied method currently available for Purified terephthalic acid(PTA) has wide applications in a variety products produced by the Witten process is not ide urity of the manufacturing terephthalic acid (TA). However, the of fields in our daily life, such as chemical fiber industry, light lack of purification procedures. The Amoco process is a relatively dustry, electronics industry, and so on. Besides polyester bottle new method that can purify Ta products immediately after chips, polyester films, and polyester fibers, over 90% of the obtaining the crude TA (CTA). Hence, the Amoco process has application of PTA is as the raw material to manufacture presently become more and more popular in many countries due polyethylene terephthalate(PEt(1], one of the most widely used to its simplified purification procedures [ 3 engineering plastics in the world. There are now two primary The Amoco process has three major stages [4 methods for manufacturing PTA, which are namely Witten process and Amoco process [2]. The Witten process was developed in the Manufacturing CTA 50s of the 20th century, and thanks to its superior qualities such as simple and mature process, reliable technique, low corrosiveness, At this stage, the raw material para-xylene(PX) is oxidized in the atmosphere of oxygen or oxygen-rich air to produce Y Gong, Cao, X-H. Meng, Z-G. Yang TA, with cobalt acetate (Co(Ac)2)and manganese acetate epartment of Materials Science, Fudan University, No. 220 Handan (Mn(Ac)z)as catalysts, tetrabromoethane (C2H2Br4)as the Road, Shanghai 200433(P R China) co-catalyst, and acetate acid(HAc)as the medium. Owing to E-mail:ziyang@fudan.edu.cn ularly the byproducts, the www.matcorr.com c 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KGaA, Weinheim
Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes in terephthalic acid (TA) dryer Y. Gong, J. Cao, X.-H. Meng and Z.-G. Yang* Grade 316L is a type of austenitic stainless steel with ultra-low carbon content and it exhibits superior corrosion resistance. However, pitting is always observed in 316L steel when it is exposed to media containing halide ions. In the present study, we found that in the presence of acetate acid (HAc) containing chloride or bromide ions, pitting occurred on the surface of the rotary steam pipes with the matrix material of 316L steel in terephthalic acid (TA) dryer. In order to identify the causes of the failure, metallographic structures and chemical compositions of the matrix material were inspected by an optical microscope (OM) and a photoelectric direct reading spectrometer. Beside these, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) as well as ion chromatography (IC) were used to analyze the micromorphologies of the corrosion pits and the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits within them. Analysis of the results revealed the sources of halide ions and the factors accelerating the corrosion rate. Beside these, detailed mechanisms of pitting were discussed and six out of all the seven theoretical morphologies of pitting features were obtained in practice. 1 Introduction Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) has wide applications in a variety of fields in our daily life, such as chemical fiber industry, light industry, electronics industry, and so on. Besides polyester bottle chips, polyester films, and polyester fibers, over 90% of the application of PTA is as the raw material to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [1], one of the most widely used engineering plastics in the world. There are now two primary methods for manufacturing PTA, which are namely Witten process and Amoco process [2]. The Witten process was developed in the 50s of the 20th century, and thanks to its superior qualities such as simple and mature process, reliable technique, low corrosiveness, etc., it is still the most widely applied method currently available for manufacturing terephthalic acid (TA). However, the purity of the products produced by the Witten process is not ideal owing to the lack of purification procedures. The Amoco process is a relatively new method that can purify TA products immediately after obtaining the crude TA (CTA). Hence, the Amoco process has presently become more and more popular in many countries due to its simplified purification procedures [3]. The Amoco process has three major stages [4]: Manufacturing CTA At this stage, the raw material para-xylene (PX) is oxidized in the atmosphere of oxygen or oxygen-rich air to produce TA, with cobalt acetate (Co(Ac)2) and manganese acetate (Mn(Ac)2) as catalysts, tetrabromoethane (C2H2Br4) as the co-catalyst, and acetate acid (HAc) as the medium. Owing to its high content of impurities, particularly the byproducts, the Materials and Corrosion 2009, 60, No. 11 DOI: 10.1002/maco.200805198 899 Y. Gong, J. Cao, X.-H. Meng, Z.-G. Yang Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, No. 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433 (P. R. China) E-mail: zgyang@fudan.edu.cn Corrosion Concepts In this forum readers will be able to present practical problems for discussion. It is envisaged that these contributions will include not only discussion of general problems and incidents of corrosion but that suggested remedies will also be presented and discussed. It is hoped that this exchange of knowledge and experience will become a permanent feature of this periodical. We are particularly anxious that both Senior Scientists and those with more practical experience will make use of this forum to exchange information, problems and potential remedies. www.matcorr.com 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
900 Gong, Gao, Meng, and Yang Materials and Corrosion 2009. 60. No. 1. TA product obtained during this stage is called CTA. Detailed In fact, there are several subsequent procedures also needed reaction conditions and the chemical formula are shown in at stage 1 to get CTA, including centrifugation, filtering, and drying. Figure 1 presents the schematic view of the detailed ocedures in stage 1 for manufacturing CTA in the industry. However, as is shown in equation (1), the complicated oxidation COOH catalyst system may inevitably introduce a harmful environment involving bromide ions and HAc into the post-oxidation equipments such as TA centrifuge, vacuum filter, and a TA +30.-CoAc( +2H,O dryer. Furthermore, the alkali liquor (commonly 3% NaoH solution)applied to wash these equipments often contains some COOH impurities, particularly chloride ions, which may cause even greater harm together with the existence of bromide ions and HAc. Therefore, various kinds of failures were frequently bserved in ta centrif routine downtime 316L stainless steel always suffers pitting corrosion in the Purifying CTA to PTA presence of a medium containing halide ion[5, 6). In this paper, we report various types of degradations such as pitting corrosion, is The main byproduct of CTA produced in the oxidation stage crevice corrosion, flow-accelerated corrosion(FAC)and so on that 4-carboxyl benzaldehyde (4-CBA). For the purpose of were detected on some 316L steam pipe surfaces in the Ta dryer purification,4-CBA is hydrogenated in hydrogen atmosphere of a CTA manufacturing device during an Amoco process in a to form soluble para-toluic acid(P-TA) in this stage, as seen in petrochemical company in Shanghai. Among them, pitting equation(2). By dissolving the P-TA in hot water, PTA is obtained. corrosion was a major concern due to the serious harm it causes Meanwhile, the P-TA separated from CTA is also collected and and its frequent occurrence on the pipes. The expected life of recycled for further oxidation to produce PTA. the ta drver under the ting conditions was about 8 years but some of its steam pipes failed due to pitting within just 2 years COOH (from September 2004 to March 2007). Thus, detailed investiga- tions from three aspects, matrix materials, process media, and service conditions were conducted on the pitting pipe, failure +2H,一 Pd/Pb including macro and micromorphology observation on corrosion 280-29"C,85MPa pits, and chemical composition analysis of the corrosion deposits in the pits On the basis of the analysed results, the causes and the CHO mechanisms of pitting are discussed, which have an important significance both for corrosion prevention of TA dryer in the future and also for a better understanding of pitting corrosion in engineering practice Post-treatment of pta 2 Experimental method and results The so-called PTA obtained in the purification stage is far from the requirements of finished products. The wet PTA cakes 2.1 Visual observation must undergo some post-treatments at this stage, such as crystallization, drying, and packing for conversion into Pta The TA dryer is a rotating cylinder with three arrays of circular steam pipes within the cylinder. In the dryer, steam passes centrifuge Figure 1 Schematic diagram of TA oxidation(CTA manufacturing) process o 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.matcorr.com
TA product obtained during this stage is called CTA. Detailed reaction conditions and the chemical formula are shown in equation (1). (1) Purifying CTA to PTA The main byproduct of CTA produced in the oxidation stage is 4-carboxyl benzaldehyde (4-CBA). For the purpose of purification, 4-CBA is hydrogenated in hydrogen atmosphere to form soluble para-toluic acid (P-TA) in this stage, as seen in equation (2). By dissolving the P-TA in hot water, PTA is obtained. Meanwhile, the P-TA separated from CTA is also collected and recycled for further oxidation to produce PTA. (2) Post-treatment of PTA The so-called PTA obtained in the purification stage is far from the requirements of finished products. The wet PTA cakes must undergo some post-treatments at this stage, such as crystallization, drying, and packing for conversion into PTA powder. In fact, there are several subsequent procedures also needed at stage 1 to get CTA, including centrifugation, filtering, and drying. Figure 1 presents the schematic view of the detailed procedures in stage 1 for manufacturing CTA in the industry. However, as is shown in equation (1), the complicated oxidation catalyst system may inevitably introduce a harmful environment involving bromide ions and HAc into the post-oxidation equipments such as TA centrifuge, vacuum filter, and a TA dryer. Furthermore, the alkali liquor (commonly 3% NaOH solution) applied to wash these equipments often contains some impurities, particularly chloride ions, which may cause even greater harm together with the existence of bromide ions and HAc. Therefore, various kinds of failures were frequently observed in TA centrifuge and TA dryer in the past during routine downtime. 316L stainless steel always suffers pitting corrosion in the presence of a medium containing halide ion [5, 6]. In this paper, we report various types of degradations such as pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) and so on that were detected on some 316L steam pipe surfaces in the TA dryer of a CTA manufacturing device during an Amoco process in a petrochemical company in Shanghai. Among them, pitting corrosion was a major concern due to the serious harm it causes and its frequent occurrence on the pipes. The expected life of the TA dryer under the operating conditions was about 8 years, but some of its steam pipes failed due to pitting within just 2 years (from September 2004 to March 2007). Thus, detailed investigations from three aspects, matrix materials, process media, and service conditions were conducted on the pitting pipe, failure including macro and micromorphology observation on corrosion pits, and chemical composition analysis of the corrosion deposits in the pits. On the basis of the analysed results, the causes and the mechanisms of pitting are discussed, which have an important significance both for corrosion prevention of TA dryer in the future and also for a better understanding of pitting corrosion in engineering practice. 2 Experimental method and results 2.1 Visual observation The TA dryer is a rotating cylinder with three arrays of circular steam pipes within the cylinder. In the dryer, steam passes 900 Gong, Gao, Meng, and Yang Materials and Corrosion 2009, 60, No. 11 Figure 1. Schematic diagram of TA oxidation (CTA manufacturing) process 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.matcorr.com
Materials and Corrosion 2009. 60. No. 1: Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes 901 Inlet region Output region (CTA filter cake, 15--20% humidity, 98-105 C) (CTA powder, <0.03% humidity, 135C) 21250mm camer gas N一 Ta dryer cylinder Φ=3100mm igure 2 Schematic diagram of the operating conditions of TA drye through the steam pipes to heat the wet TA cakes that are 2.2 Matrix material examination ansported outside the pipes from the inlet region of the dryer. Moreover, carrier gas(nitrogen) is sent in the opposite direction Chemical compositions of the matrix materials in the inlet and of the transportation of the cakes, i.e. from the output region of output region of the steam pipes are listed in Table 1, which are in the dryer to remove the vapors evaporated from the cakes. More accordance with the requirements of SUS 316L specification concrete details of the operating conditions of TA dryer can be The high content of Cr in 316L can facilitate superior resistance to referred from Fig. 2. In this paper, pitting dominantly took corrosion, while the existence of Mn, S, and Si may form MnS and place at the inlet region of the steam pipes. Compared with the silicon oxides, which are likely to act as the initiation sites for surface of the pitting-free pipes(Fig 3(a)), which was smooth and pitting [7 plane, the surface of the pitted pipes was covered with a relatively The metallographic structures of the matrix material large area of pits [Fig 3(b)). As shown in Fig 3(c) and (d), many etched in 4g CuSO4, 20 ml HCl and 20 ml ethanol, are corrosion pits were randomly distributed on the pipe surface, and displayed in Fig. 4. As is shown in Fig. 4(a), the material is the depth of some pits even reached 0.5 mm. typically austenitic in structure with the average ASTM grain size [(d) ire 3. Macroscopic morphologies of pitted steam pipes surface; (a) pitting-free surface, (b) pitted surface, (c),(d)magnification of pitting hology www.matcorr.com c 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KGaA, Weinheim
through the steam pipes to heat the wet TA cakes that are transported outside the pipes from the inlet region of the dryer. Moreover, carrier gas (nitrogen) is sent in the opposite direction of the transportation of the cakes, i.e. from the output region of the dryer to remove the vapors evaporated from the cakes. More concrete details of the operating conditions of TA dryer can be referred from Fig. 2. In this paper, pitting dominantly took place at the inlet region of the steam pipes. Compared with the surface of the pitting-free pipes (Fig. 3(a)), which was smooth and plane, the surface of the pitted pipes was covered with a relatively large area of pits [Fig. 3(b)]. As shown in Fig. 3(c) and (d), many corrosion pits were randomly distributed on the pipe surface, and the depth of some pits even reached 0.5 mm. 2.2 Matrix material examination Chemical compositions of the matrix materials in the inlet and output region of the steam pipes are listed in Table 1, which are in accordance with the requirements of SUS 316L specifications. The high content of Cr in 316L can facilitate superior resistance to corrosion, while the existence of Mn, S, and Si may form MnS and silicon oxides, which are likely to act as the initiation sites for pitting [7]. The metallographic structures of the matrix material etched in 4 g CuSO4, 20 ml HCl and 20 ml ethanol, are displayed in Fig. 4. As is shown in Fig. 4(a), the material is typically austenitic in structure with the average ASTM grain size Materials and Corrosion 2009, 60, No. 11 Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes 901 Figure 3. Macroscopic morphologies of pitted steam pipes surface; (a) pitting-free surface, (b) pitted surface, (c), (d) magnification of pitting morphology Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the operating conditions of TA dryer www.matcorr.com 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
902 Gong, Gao, Meng, and Yang Materials and Corrosion 2009. 60. No. 11 Table 1. Chemical compositions of steam pipes(wt%) Element P Mn Ni Cr 0.014 0.738 0.030 1044 2.088 17436 0.748 0.031 2.331 17429 SUS316L[42] ≤0.030 <0.045 10.0~14.0 160~18.0 of about 6. Also, lot of black dots, which represent the inclusions Samples were cut from the pitted region of the failure pipes of Mns or silicon oxide, can be found within these coarse and the cross-sections of these samples were observed under austenitic grains, as seen in Fig. 4(b). Intergranular cracks were SEM. Explicit differences between the inner wall and the outer not found in Fig. 4, which implies that stress corrosion cracking wall of the pitted pipes can be seen in Fig. 6(a) and (b). Compared (SCC) did not occur in this case. (a) 2.3 SEM and EDS analyses As shown in Fig. 5(a), densely distributed corrosion pits can be seen on the pipes surface under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In some regions, with enlargement, two neighboring pits having a diameter of about 150 um tended to combine into a larger pit[Fig. 5(b)), which may aggravate the damage on the pipe Figure 5(c)displays the same circumstance described in Fig. 5 where the number of pits is three. The white dot-like stains in Fig. 5(b) represent corrosion deposits AccV Spot Magn Det 200kv5017 Zoo w Sof Moon SE 1e 1224 20H Figure 4. Metallographic structures of steam pipes with different Figure 5 SEM of the pits on pipes surface: (a) total morph b) two-neighboring pits, (c) three-neighboring pits o 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.matcorr.com
of about 6. Also, lot of black dots, which represent the inclusions of MnS or silicon oxide, can be found within these coarse austenitic grains, as seen in Fig. 4(b). Intergranular cracks were not found in Fig. 4, which implies that stress corrosion cracking (SCC) did not occur in this case. 2.3 SEM and EDS analyses As shown in Fig. 5(a), densely distributed corrosion pits can be seen on the pipes surface under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In some regions, with enlargement, two neighboring pits having a diameter of about 150 mm tended to combine into a larger pit [Fig. 5(b)], which may aggravate the damage on the pipe. Figure 5(c) displays the same circumstance described in Fig. 5(b), where the number of pits is three. The white dot-like stains in Fig. 5(b) represent corrosion deposits. Samples were cut from the pitted region of the failure pipes and the cross-sections of these samples were observed under SEM. Explicit differences between the inner wall and the outer wall of the pitted pipes can be seen in Fig. 6(a) and (b). Compared 902 Gong, Gao, Meng, and Yang Materials and Corrosion 2009, 60, No. 11 Figure 4. Metallographic structures of steam pipes with different magnifications Figure 5. SEM of the pits on pipes surface; (a) total morphology, (b) two-neighboring pits, (c) three-neighboring pits Table 1. Chemical compositions of steam pipes (wt%) Element C Si S P Mn Ni Cr Mo Inlet region 0.014 0.738 0.007 0.030 1.044 12.088 17.436 2.046 Output region 0.015 0.748 0.006 0.031 1.063 12.331 17.429 2.035 SUS316L [42] 0.03 0.75 0.030 0.045 2.0 10.014.0 16.018.0 2.03.0 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.matcorr.com
Materials and Corrosion 2009. 60. No. 1: Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes 903 theoretical morphologies in practice. Indeed, the various pitting morphologies may also have caused combined side effects on the team pipes. On taking a closer look at the corrosion deposits within the pit in Fig 8(b), delamination can be found on the deposits, as seen outer wall in Fig. 9. It is well known that delamination may induce the deposits to be abrased layer by layer under the effect of flow(gas or liquid), which may result due to the acceleration of corrosion rate(detailed mechanisms will be discussed later). Furthermore, chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits were detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The four analysis sites are displayed in Fig. 9 as well, and the chemical compositions Accv Spot listed in Fig. 10 and Table 2. According to the results of the 200kv50 analysis, it is surprising that the contents of chlorine element 21, and 2.60%(wt%), respectively at sites A, C and D. Moreover, 1.90% of the content was bromine element at site C. Hence, the EDS results verified the hypothesis proposed above that the pitting corrosion was led by the presence of halide inner wall 2.4 lon chromatography In order to further testify the EDS results, ion chromatography C)was also used to identify the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits within the pits. When dissolved in deionized water, corrosion deposits released the chloride and bromide ions they contained. Fig. 11 shows that the concentrations of the .5 and 1.0 ppm, respectively Figure 6 SEM of the cross-sections of pitted pipes Although the halide ions may not induce serious corrosion with such a low content at first, they will lead the pits to grow deep with the smooth inner wall, the outer wall was defected by some inwards in the matrix material when it is accumulated in the pits corrosion pits, whose depth had reached about 0.4 mm. As is well Thus, the results of ion chromatography further confirmed the known,there are seven theoretical morphologies of pitting, causes of pitting, the halide ions namely, narrow and deep, elliptical, wide and shallow, subsurface, undercutting, horizontal, and vertical (8). Schematic diagrams of 3 Discussion the seven theoretical morphologies are displayed in Fig. 7. In this paper, it can be seen from Fig. 8 that six out of the seven In 316L stainless steel halide ions attacking the MnS inclusions theoretical pitting morphologies were obtained from the pitted on the steam pipes' surface was the major cause of pitting.Two pipes under SEM, which may provide a solid proof for the more reasons could be attributed for this failure: whether or not the matrix material was qualified and where the halide ions originated. Hence, research was carried out to study three aspects to identify the specific causes of pitting: the matrix materials, the process media and the service conditions. According to the analysis results, chemical compositions of the steam pipes matrix Wide shallow material conformed to the SUS 316L specifications, and the metallographic structure was typically austenite. Thus, it can be concluded that the matrix material was qualified; in other words, causes for the serious pitting corrosion may involve the latter two the process media and /or the service conditions. As was discussed above, the process media in the TA dryer onsisted mainly of HAc, bromide ions, and chloride ions Furthermore, HAc and the bromide ions were generated from the oxidation of the catalyst system, while the chloride ions were the remnants from the NaoH alkaline wash liquor. In fact, it can be inferred from the eds and ic results for the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits that the chloride ions were the main cause of pitting. The aggressive chloride ions Figure 7 Schematic diagram of theoretical pitting morphologies commonly have two side effects on materials: SCC and pitting www.matcorr.com c 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KGaA, Weinheim
with the smooth inner wall, the outer wall was defected by some corrosion pits, whose depth had reached about 0.4 mm. As is well known, there are seven theoretical morphologies of pitting, namely, narrow and deep, elliptical, wide and shallow, subsurface, undercutting, horizontal, and vertical [8]. Schematic diagrams of the seven theoretical morphologies are displayed in Fig. 7. In this paper, it can be seen from Fig. 8 that six out of the seven theoretical pitting morphologies were obtained from the pitted pipes under SEM, which may provide a solid proof for the theoretical morphologies in practice. Indeed, the various pitting morphologies may also have caused combined side effects on the steam pipes. On taking a closer look at the corrosion deposits within the pit in Fig. 8(b), delamination can be found on the deposits, as seen in Fig. 9. It is well known that delamination may induce the deposits to be abrased layer by layer under the effect of flow (gas or liquid), which may result due to the acceleration of corrosion rate (detailed mechanisms will be discussed later). Furthermore, chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits were detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The four analysis sites are displayed in Fig. 9 as well, and the chemical compositions are listed in Fig. 10 and Table 2. According to the results of the analysis, it is surprising that the contents of chlorine element were 7.17, 5.36, 8.21, and 2.60% (wt%), respectively at sites A, B, C, and D. Moreover, 1.90% of the content was bromine element at site C. Hence, the EDS results verified the hypothesis proposed above that the pitting corrosion was led by the presence of halide ions. 2.4 Ion chromatography In order to further testify the EDS results, ion chromatography (IC) was also used to identify the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits within the pits. When dissolved in deionized water, corrosion deposits released the chloride and bromide ions they contained. Fig. 11 shows that the concentrations of the chloride and the bromide ions are 10.5 and 1.0 ppm, respectively. Although the halide ions may not induce serious corrosion with such a low content at first, they will lead the pits to grow deep inwards in the matrix material when it is accumulated in the pits. Thus, the results of ion chromatography further confirmed the causes of pitting, the halide ions. 3 Discussion In 316L stainless steel halide ions attacking the MnS inclusions on the steam pipes’ surface was the major cause of pitting. Two more reasons could be attributed for this failure: whether or not the matrix material was qualified and where the halide ions originated. Hence, research was carried out to study three aspects to identify the specific causes of pitting: the matrix materials, the process media and the service conditions. According to the analysis results, chemical compositions of the steam pipes matrix material conformed to the SUS 316L specifications, and the metallographic structure was typically austenite. Thus, it can be concluded that the matrix material was qualified; in other words, causes for the serious pitting corrosion may involve the latter two: the process media and/or the service conditions. As was discussed above, the process media in the TA dryer consisted mainly of HAc, bromide ions, and chloride ions. Furthermore, HAc and the bromide ions were generated from the oxidation of the catalyst system, while the chloride ions were the remnants from the NaOH alkaline wash liquor. In fact, it can be inferred from the EDS and IC results for the chemical compositions of the corrosion deposits that the chloride ions were the main cause of pitting. The aggressive chloride ions commonly have two side effects on materials: SCC and pitting Materials and Corrosion 2009, 60, No. 11 Pitting corrosion on 316L pipes 903 Figure 6. SEM of the cross-sections of pitted pipes Figure 7. Schematic diagram of theoretical pitting morphologies www.matcorr.com 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim