Stainless steels have been used successfully for handling potable water since the mid-1960's.

They are excellent engineering materials for handling water because of their mechanical, physical and corrosion resistant properties.

Based on installation and life-cycle evaluations, they are also cost-effective.

The family of duplex and austenitic grades offer many possibilities for meeting a wide range of system requirements.

Since duplex alloys have higher strength and ductility than carbon steel and cast iron pipes, for example, wall thicknesses can be reduced, resulting in material cost savings.

And, unlike cement-lined and non-metallic pipe, stainless steel pipe is easily recycled because of its valuable alloy content.

Stainless steels do not suffer from uniform corrosion which can result in perforations and leaks. A corrosion allowance therefore is not required for stainless steel pipe.

This also means that stainless steels are basically inert in potable waters and therefore the quality of drinking water is maintained.

These, and other benefits of using stainless steels in potable water handling systems are explained more fully in a brief presentation by Dr. Gary Carinci of TMR. You can download that presentation here in PDF format (this file is 280 kB, so please allow sufficient time for it to download).