Pitting corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking of buffer tanks in a brewery

The paper presents results of the expertise performed to identify the causes of corrosion of water container for storage of hot water, which is used to production of beer in the brewery. The container was affected by corrosion within a very short time of exploitation, which has led it to deep perforation. During the exploitation of the container significant damages caused by the pitting corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking were detected. It was determined that corrosion processes of the water container were strictly connected with a very high concentration of chloride ions present in a hot water and the presence of static mechanical stresses. Additional impact was also involved with the application of inadequate type of steel for this usage. AISI 304 stainless steel is not resistant to pitting corrosion under investigated conditions.

► Identified the causes of corrosion of hot water containers in a brewery. ► Pitting and stress corrosion cracking caused the perforation of the water tank. ► Chloride ions and presence of mechanical stresses causes of the installation failure. ► Stainless steel was of low corrosion resistance to construction of the tank.