UNS S34565 stainless steel can now be laser welded to produce thin walled (0.35 - 0.40mm) tubing. Corrosion tests have been carried out on tube - tube plate assemblies in simulated MSF desalination plant environments of deaerated sea water at 90°C with oxygen levels of 65, 150 and 750 ppb. Some comparative tests with UNS S31603, S31803 and S32760 were also carried out. Results showed excellent resistance of S34565 to stress corrosion cracking, crevice and pitting corrosion, highlighting its potential as a material for evaporator tubing in MSF plants.
Keywords: stainless steel, laser welding, sea water, MSF desalination