A critical review on development, performance and selection of stainless steels and nickel alloys for the wet phosphoric acid process

TY - JOUR

T1 - A critical review on development, performance and selection of stainless steels and nickel alloys for the wet phosphoric acid process

AU - Fashu, Simbarashe

AU - Trabadelo, Vera

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - The wet phosphoric acid (WPA) process equipment is exposed to corrosive and wear conditions with aggressiveness determined by the phosphate rock chemical composition and process parameters employed. Stainless steels and nickel alloys are attractive materials considered for WPA plant construction since they are mechanically and chemically robust to withstand the aggressive environment encountered. This review first describes the WPA process emphasizing on the aggressiveness of the environment to plant construction materials. Then, principles behind design and fabrication of stainless steels and nickel alloys with properties tailored to withstand this aggressive environment are described. To withstand corrosion conditions encountered during the WPA process alloys should contain sufficient chromium (Cr), with some molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) contents and should possess a homogeneous microstructure. Wear resistance in a specific section of the plant is ensured by adjusting the carbon content and carbide formers contents to obtain adequate carbides for protection from abrasion. Reported data on deterioration rates and failure mechanisms of commonly used alloys is first presented before discussing selection and performance of these alloys in different sections of the WPA plant. Future challenges and opportunities in selection of suitable materials and development of novel materials are finally outlined.

AB - The wet phosphoric acid (WPA) process equipment is exposed to corrosive and wear conditions with aggressiveness determined by the phosphate rock chemical composition and process parameters employed. Stainless steels and nickel alloys are attractive materials considered for WPA plant construction since they are mechanically and chemically robust to withstand the aggressive environment encountered. This review first describes the WPA process emphasizing on the aggressiveness of the environment to plant construction materials. Then, principles behind design and fabrication of stainless steels and nickel alloys with properties tailored to withstand this aggressive environment are described. To withstand corrosion conditions encountered during the WPA process alloys should contain sufficient chromium (Cr), with some molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) contents and should possess a homogeneous microstructure. Wear resistance in a specific section of the plant is ensured by adjusting the carbon content and carbide formers contents to obtain adequate carbides for protection from abrasion. Reported data on deterioration rates and failure mechanisms of commonly used alloys is first presented before discussing selection and performance of these alloys in different sections of the WPA plant. Future challenges and opportunities in selection of suitable materials and development of novel materials are finally outlined.

KW - Corrosion resistance

KW - Materials selection

KW - Nickel alloys

KW - Stainless steels

KW - Wear resistance

KW - Wet phosphoric acid

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85148330894&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111739

DO - 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111739

M3 - 文献综述

AN - SCOPUS:85148330894

SN - 0264-1275

VL - 227

JO - Materials and Design

JF - Materials and Design

M1 - 111739

ER -