Stainless Steel Selection Guide for Chloride Environments
Based on four dimensions—chloride concentration, temperature, welding, and crevice conditions—this guide provides a selection path from 304 → 316L → 2205 → 2507.
Rule of thumb: 304 below 200 ppm Cl- at ambient; 316L up to ~1000 ppm at moderate temperature; 2205 for seawater and higher chloride; 2507 for severe conditions. Welded joints and crevices always require a step up.