Pitting resistance equivalent number

Pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) is a predictive measurement of a stainless steel's resistance to localized pitting corrosion based on its chemical composition. In general: the higher PREN-value, the more resistant is the stainless steel to localized pitting corrosion by chloride.

PREN is frequently specified when stainless steels will be exposed to seawater or other high chloride solutions. In some instances stainless steels with PREN-values > 32 may provide useful resistance to pitting corrosion in seawater, but is dependent on optimal conditions. However, crevice corrosion is also a significant possibility and a PREN > 40 is typically specified for seawater service.[1][2][3]

These alloys need to be manufactured and heat treated correctly to be sea water corrosion resistant to the expected level. PREN alone is not an indicator of corrosion resistance. The value should be calculated for each heat to ensure compliance with minimum requirements, this is due to chemistry variation within the specified composition limits.

PREN formulas (w/w)

There are several PREN formulas. They commonly range from PREN = Cr + 3.3*Mo + 16*N to PREN = Cr + 3.3*Mo + 30*N.[4]

There are a few stainless steels which add tungsten (W), for those the following formula is used PREN = 1 × %Cr + 3.3 ( %Mo + 0.5 × %W ) + 16 × %N

All % values of elements must be expressed by mass (not by volume). Tolerance on element measurements could be ignored as the PREN value is indicative only.

Pitting resistance measurement

Exact pitting test procedures are specified in the ASTM G48 standard.[5]

References
  1. Gerhard Schiroky, Anibal Dam, Akinyemi Okeremi, Charlie Speed (2013). "Pitting and crevice corrosion of offshore stainless steel tubing". Offshore Magazine.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Kathy Riggs Larsen (2016). "Selecting Stainless Steels for Seawater Pumps". Materials Performance.
  3. Dirk Aberle and Dinesh C. Agarwal (2008). 08085 High Performance Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steels and Nickel Alloys for Oil & Gas Applications. NACE. Product Number: 51300-08085-SG, Account required - $0.00 No charge
  4. Cramer, Stephen D.; Covino, Bernard S. (2005). ASM handbook, Volume 13B- Corrosion: Materials. Materials Park, OH: ASM International. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-62708-011-8. OCLC 712545628.
  5. ASTM G48 – Latest : Standard Test Methods for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use of Ferric Chloride Solution. ASTM. Retrieved 28 September 2012.Full text of standard not available free of charge online but available in libraries
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