Stainless Steel Pipe: What Changes When the Installation Is Above Ground, Buried or Indoor?
Stainless steel performs exceptionally well when it is buried underground for long periods. But when it comes into contact with moisture, aggressive chemicals, or stray current, it starts to corrode. Therefore, buried stainless steel requires proper consideration when compared to stainless steel above ground. Factors that can influence the performance of buried stainless steel pipe are the pH value of the soil, soil resistivity, moisture content, and the presence of chemicals and stray currents. The PH value of the soil in which the pipe is buried plays a major role in causing corrosion and degradation. Soil acidity is produced by decomposition of acidic plants, mineral leaching, industrial wastes, acid rain and certain microbiological activities. If the pH value is greater than 4.5, then corrosion of the buried pipe is unlikely. Backfilling the pipe ditches with sand can provide reliable long-term protection against corrosive soils. Soil resistivity usually decreases when the moistur...