ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

SS 316 and Sodium Chlorate: Chemical Resistance

Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
aqueousAApitting risk
any concentrationAApitting risk

Material comparison at 20 °C

Sodium Chlorate: Material comparison at 20 °CSS 316: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; EPDM: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; HDPE: A.Aluminium: AEPDM: AFEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: ALDPE: ANylon (PA): APolycarbonate: APMP: APP: APolystyrene: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: A316NBR: BAcetal (POM): BECTFE/ETFE: –PETG: –Polysulfone: –PVC Flexible: –SAN: –Silicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

SS 316 shows excellent resistance to Sodium Chlorate across all 2 tested concentrations (aqueous, any concentration) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk. Note that the source flags a risk of pitting or stress-corrosion cracking for this combination, which is particularly relevant for pressure-bearing or structurally loaded components.

Application context

Sodium Chlorate is commonly encountered in waste treatment and bleaching. SS 316 (Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)) is a metal typically used for vessels, heat exchangers, fittings and structural components. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.

Practical recommendation

SS 316 can be used with confidence for Sodium Chlorate containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. This holds true at both 20 °C and 50 °C, giving a good safety margin for typical process environments.

Did you know?

When choosing between metals for Sodium Chlorate service, engineers consider not just the resistance rating but also factors such as permeation rate, creep resistance, and weldability.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for any concentration, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) B, Polycarbonate A, Polystyrene A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM A, Viton (FPM) A, NBR B
Metals
SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About SS 316

Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

About this data

The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.

A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.