Shipbuilding & Marine

Seawater is the harshest natural electrolyte: roughly 19,000 ppm chloride, plus wet-dry cycling and crevices. Here the first criterion isn't strength — it's whether the material resists crevice corrosion.

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Common Components & Material Selection

Component	Grade	Finish / Size	Avoid
Deck railing / outfitting	316L	Tube / section, polished	Salt spray, post-weld passivation
Seawater piping	2205 / 6Mo	Seamless / welded tube	Pitting, flow erosion
LNG tank inner liner	304L / 304	Plate 8–50 mm	Low-temperature embrittlement, class approval
Galley / wet area equipment	304 / 316L	8–2 mm, 2B/HL	Cleanability, fingerprint resistance
Fasteners / structural	316 / 2205	Bar / forging	Stress corrosion cracking

These are common configurations.The actual selection depends on medium, temperature and welding method— the same component may move from 304 to 316L or 2205. Better to describe the service conditions than to name a grade.

Three real constraints in this industry

Crevice corrosion is the biggest failure mode

Under gaskets and at bracket-to-hull contact points, 304 shows rust within months. Design out crevices (continuous welds, drain holes) and upgrade to 316L or 2205.

Get class approval early

DNV / ABS / LR / CCS each have their own approved material lists. A better grade that isn't approved still fails inspection — verify at the quotation stage.

Welding distortion accumulates at assembly

Thin outfitting parts warp, and the error accumulates at final assembly. Pre-fabricate in sections with anti-distortion jigs and leave allowance for trimming.