Shipbuilding & Offshore

Seawater is the most aggressive natural electrolyte: roughly 19,000 ppm chlorides, plus wet–dry cycling and crevices. Here the first criterion is not strength — it is whether the material resists crevice corrosion.

Describe Your Application View Products

Typical Components & Material Selection

Component	Grade	Surface / Size	What to Watch For
Deck Railings / Fittings	316L	Tube / Profile, Polished	Salt spray, post-weld passivation
Seawater Piping	2205 / 6Mo	Seamless / Welded Tube	Pitting, flow erosion
LNG Tank Inner Shell	304L / 304	Plate 8–50 mm	Low-temperature toughness, class approval
Accommodation / Galley Equipment	304 / 316L	0.8–2 mm, 2B/HL	Ease of cleaning, fingerprint resistance
Fasteners / Fixings	316 / 2205	Bar / Forging	Stress corrosion cracking

These are common configurations.The actual selection depends on the environment, temperature and welding method— the same component may move from 304 to 316L or 2205. Describing the service conditions is more useful than specifying a grade.

Three Real Constraints in This Industry

Crevice Corrosion Is the Dominant Failure Cause

Under gaskets and where brackets contact the hull, 304 rusts within months. Avoid crevices in the design (continuous welds, drain holes) and move to 316L or 2205.

Confirm Class Approval Up Front

DNV / ABS / LR / CCS each maintain their own approved material lists. The better grade, if not approved, still fails inspection — check at the quotation stage.

Welding Distortion Accumulates Before Assembly

Thin trim components distort, and the error accumulates at final assembly. Pre-fabricate in sections with anti-distortion fixtures and leave trimming allowance.