Stainless steel pipework for water supply

There are millions of miles of pipelines, worldwide, used for the transmission of drinking water. These pipelines must offer corrosion resistance to the water itself, soil chemistries, and treatment chemicals in order to provide both a long service life and hygienic delivery of drinking quality water.

Since lead and galvanised steel fell fromfavour, copper and sometimes plastic havebeen the usual materials for piping potablewater. But in many circumstances stainless steel will have advantages:

 

Type 316 (2-3% Mo) stainless steel has been shown to provide the necessary corrosion resistance for most applications, at a cost competitive with other piping materials. Where additional corrosion protection might be needed, as in shoreline installations, the duplex stainless steel (3.0-3.5% Mo) can be used to achieve the required hygiene, cost and service life.

 

Stainless steel offers a multitude of benefits, including corrosion resistance, hygienic properties, strength, long-term performance, excellent hydraulic conductivity, and the ability to withstand high pressure and temperature requirements. It has found its place in diverse applications, from desalination plants and reverse osmosis water treatment systems to water supply for high-rise buildings and domestic tapware. Stainless steel provides a safe and sustainable solution throughout the entire lifespan of the product.

 

In conclusion, stainless steel, polymers, and copper all have their roles in potable water systems, driven by historical usage and inherent properties. However, stainless steel is quickly emerging as a standard construction material in various water supply applications. As the trend toward a sustainable economy and the use of reusable materials gains momentum, there will likely be shifts in priorities and preferences.