Corrosive Service Guide to Materials for Thermowell Applications

Understanding Corrosion: A Complex Dance with Materials

Corrosion, in its essence, is a natural chemical reaction between materials and their surrounding environment. It involves the gradual degradation of metals and alloys due to various factors such as moisture, chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to gases. While corrosion can sometimes be harnessed beneficially, such as in the case of creating protective oxide layers, it more commonly poses a significant threat to industrial equipment and processes.

The Diverse Faces of Corrosion

The spectrum of corrosion mechanisms is vast and can include uniform corrosion, pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, among others. The selection of materials and protection strategies hinges on understanding the specific corrosion process taking place, the materials involved, and the unique demands of the application.

Role of Temperature Sensors: Vital but Vulnerable

In the grand tapestry of industrial processes, the need for accurate temperature monitoring cannot be overstated. Yet, this precision must be achieved despite the often corrosive and hostile environments in which these processes occur.

Enter the Thermowell: Armor Against Corrosion

A thermowell, a critical component in temperature sensing systems, is a protective sheath designed to encase temperature sensors, ensuring their reliability and longevity in corrosive environments. Typically manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel, Inconel, or Hastelloy, thermowells act as a barrier, preventing direct contact between the sensor and the corrosive medium.

By intelligently selecting the proper thermowell material, design, and installation, industrial operations can effectively guard against corrosion-driven sensor failures, safeguarding their processes, maintaining efficiency, and ensuring product quality.

As industries continue to evolve and push boundaries, thermowells will remain a crucial element in maintaining efficiency, safety, and product quality. Through these unassuming protective sheaths, industrial processes can continue to thrive in the face of corrosion’s relentless forces.

The following chart lists the most common corrosion-susceptible materials used in thermowells. The second column lists the temperature in Fahrenheit at which it corrodes. The third column is the percentage of concentration, and the last column contains the corrosion-resistant materials that are recommended for use with these susceptible materials.

Thermowells can protect your temperature sensing systems from the challenges of corrosion. Additionally, with helical thermowell technology, companies can ensure even more accuracy and eliminate concerns about failure within high velocity environments. Some common helical thermowells are made from 304 stainless Steel, 316 stainless Steel, and Monel, but there are many materials to choose from according to your process needs.

Temp-Pro offers a wide range of temperature control equipment and services, including industrial temperature sensors such as RTDs, thermocouples, helical thermowells, and industrial electrical enclosures. Our team of experts is dedicated to meeting your unique needs and exceeding your expectations. Contact us today and get a customized solution to suit your business needs.