B04 · Water Supply

Stainless Steel Plates for Water Supply and Production: 316L/304 Selection and 7 Item Lists

In water supply and production, we have organized 7 stainless steel parts: commonly used 316L / 304 / 304L, with thickness ranging from 0.8–110 mm.

Describe the operating conditions, get material selection advice View Products

Stainless Water Tanks, Pump Sets and Large Diameter Pipes in the Water Treatment Plant — Water Treatment and Drainage: Tanks, Pump Sets and Large-Diameter Pipelines (Diagram; Material Selection Based on Medium, Temperature, and Drawing)

List of 7 Parts and Material Recommendations

Part / Component	Recommended Grade	Specification / Thickness	Surface	Main Failure Modes	Reference Standards
Thin-Walled Stainless Steel DWV Pipe DN15–DN100	304/316L	Wall Thickness 0.8–2.0mm; PN25	Bright/Acid Pickled	Cl⁻ Erosion Corrosion + Flank Crevice Corrosion + SCC at Flange Connections	GB/T 19228.2；CECS 153；GB/T 17219
Compression Fittings (D-Type/S-Type/Bi-Flanged)	304/304L/316/316L	DN15–DN100；PN≤2.5MPa；-20～110℃	Bright/Passivated	Seal ring aging → leakage; stress corrosion cracking	GB/T 19228.1-2024；CECS 153
ChromedThreaded Pipe FittingsDN125 and above	304/316L	DN125–DN300	Passivation	Crimp Stress + SCC; Rubber Seal Aging	CJ/T 156；GB/T 19228
Water Meter Shell/Faucet/Valve	304/316L	By Interface	Passivation/Grooved Surface	Drinking Water Cl⁻+ Disinfectant Erosion	GB/T 3280；GB/T 17219
Tank Liners/Water Tanks	304/316L	2–6mm	Pickling/Dissolving/Tinning	Cl⁻ Erosion + Welding Intergranular Corrosion + Hidden Biofilm	GB/T 3280；GB 50013
Medication/Disinfection Contacts	316L	2–5mm	Pickling/Tinning	Strong Oxidants + Cl⁻ → Erosion and SCC; Hypochlorite Decomposes to HClO	GB/T 3280；GB 50013
Pumps, Fittings, Pipes (Plant)	304/316L/2205	By Equipment	2B/Cast Face/Process Face	Hydro Impact + Cl⁻ Erosion + Abrasion	GB/T 3280；ASTM A240

InsideStandard ConfigurationMaterial Selection Tips

Specify Conditions Clearly

Common Grades Used (7, 6, 1)
Corrosion Sources: Cl⁻ and Salt (5/7 Hits)
Welded parts check sensitization and chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking (5/7 hits).
Thickness range 0.8–110 mm: thin plates are formed pieces (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracks), thick plates are welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).

Common issues

Which stainless steel is used most by the water and supply industries?

Out of these 7 parts, 316L appears most frequently (7 hits), followed by 304 (6 hits) and 304L (1 hit). Specific to a part still depends on the medium and temperature, e.g., stainless countertops require switching from 304 to 316L if exposed to saltwater.

Which parts are most prone to issues?

Based on failure descriptions, typical is "medication/disinfection contact pieces": strong oxidants + Cl⁻ → pitting and SCC; hypochlorite decomposition produces HClO. Recommended grade 316L, size 2–5mm. For this condition, specify medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method in the design phase.

What thickness is generally chosen?

The listed thickness range is 0.8–110 mm. Thin plates consider forming and surface quality, thick plates for welding strength; different manufacturers may choose differently based on your drawings or operating conditions.

Related materials and adjacent industries

304Material and specifications 316LMaterial and specifications 304LMaterial and specifications 2205Material and specifications Construction and infrastructureConstruction & Infrastructure Power generation and supply (including FGD desulfurization)Power & Energy (incl. FGD)Gas Production and Supply IndustryGas Supply

Applications7

Grades110