We have a case where we have installed a stainless steel pipe system to carry water (LTHW), At the initial fill a water tank (Carbon steel) has been used, when we drained the system we have found that its heavy with orange sludge near the couplings and we have drained the sumps and low areas and the water is black and we can see iron filings in the water which are magnetic. I think the potted water supply is compromised or not lined
Iron content is 1300% higher than standard water samples when the samples from the sump were tested. What type of corrosive damage will iron do to a stainless steel system like this
Dear Matt,
Thanks for your question.
Looking in to your case of iron formation, it seems to be a galvanic corrosion between pipe having SS material of construction and CS tank. Additionally second cause of this may be water quality. Composition of water has to be checked for proper selection of SS material for pipe. SS material is more corrosive in nature for high chloride contents, as well as for high oxygen levels in water.