Technical Brief

Alloy Engineering Company, Inc., 304 Seaview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607

www.thermowells.com engineer@thermowells.com 800-827-8240

Thermowell Materials Service Guide

A thermowell is the pressure-tight receptacle designed to protect sensitive
temperature measurement instrumentation from harsh process conditions.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS: Usually material chosen for the thermowell is governed by the corrosion
conditions the well will face. Occasionally, extreme conditions require that a
Operating Temperature
thermowell be manufactured for strength, then coated or protected by a
Operating Environment sleeve of corrosion or erosion resistant material. Recommended materials for
various services are based on resistance to specific corrosive environments,
Velocity & Pressure temperature, and the mechanical stresses of the process.
Common Materials
Carbon Steel (A105, A350, CF2) most often used in oxidizing environments
with operating temperatures to 1300F.
thermowell material is 304 SS Nickel based alloy with good corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and
usually chosen based on reducing environments. Operating temperatures up to 1650F.
the corrosion conditions
310 SS Good resistance to carburizing and reducing environments, better
the well will face. than 304 in many high temperature applications. Subject to carbide
precipitation in the 900 -1600 range. Continuous service to 2100F.
316 SS Operating temperatures the same as 304, but better corrosion
resistance and creep strength. Used in both oxidizing and reducing
environments.
416SS Most popular of the ferritic stainless steels. Used in reducing, oxidizing, vacuum and neutral
environments. Operating temperatures up to 2000F.
Low Carbon Stainless Steels available in 304L and 316L are generally used to reduce the effect of carbide
precipitation. Operating temperatures the same as 304SS.
Alloy 600 has excellent corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. Not recommended in reducing or high-
sulfur environments. Operating temperatures to 2100F.
Alloy 800 Same elevated temperature resistance to oxidation as Alloy 600. Good sulfur and corrosion
resistance. Same operating temperatures as Alloy 600.
Hastelloy B Excellent resistance to pitting and stress-corrosion cracking. Can be used in inert atmospheres
and oxidizing environments up to 1500F
Hastelloy C Excellent corrosion resistance to ferric and cupric chlorides, contaminated mineral acids, wet
chlorine gas. Oxidation resistance to 1800F.
Monel Good resistance to sea water and not subject to chloride stress cracking. Not recommended for
oxidizing atmospheres. Operating temperatures to 1000F.
Nickel Use in oxidizing atmospheres and sulfur free environments. Maximum operating temperature 1400F.
Tantalum Good to excellent resistance to corrosion to most chemicals and a high heat conductivity. Most
commonly used as a sheath material for stainless flanged wells. Operating temperatures to 5000F

Please see Materials Service Guide on page 2

Page 2 Materials Service Guide

Materials Application Service Guide

Heat Treating Glass
Annealing Fore hearths and
Platinum thimble
Up to 1300F Black steel feeders
Over 1300F Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Lehrs Black steel
Carburising hardening Tanks
Up to 1500F Black steel, Type 446 SS Roof and wall Ceramic
1500 to 2000F Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Flues and checkers Inconel 600, Type 446 SS
Over 2000F Ceramic* Petroleum
Nitriding salt baths Type 446 SS De-waxing
Cyanide Nickel (CP) Towers
Types 304, 310, 316, 321,
Neutral Type 446 SS Transfer lines
347 SS, carbon steel
High speed Ceramic* Factioning column
Iron and steel Bridgewall
Blast furnaces Power
Coal-air mixtures 304 SS
Downcomer Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Flue gases Black steel, Type 446 SS
Stove dome Silicon carbide, LT-1 Pre-heaters Black steel, Type 446 SS
Hot blast main Inconel 600 Steel lines Types 347 or 316 SS
Stove trunk Inconel 600 Water lines Low carbon steels
Stove outlet flue Black steel Boiler tubes Types 304, 309, or 31 0 SS
Open hearth Gas producers
Flues and stack Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Producer gas Type 446 SS
Checkers Inconel600, LT-1 Water gas
Waste heat boiler Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Carburetor Inconel 600, Type 446 SS
Billet heating slab heating and butt welding Superheater Inconel 600, Type 446 SS
Up to 2000F Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Tar stills Low carbon steels
Over 2000F Silicon carbide, ceramic* Incinerators
Bright annealing batch Up to 2000F Inconel 600, Type 446 SS
Not required (use bare Type Ceramic (primary) Hexoloy
Top work temperature Over 2000F
J thermocouple) (secondary)*
Bottom work Food
Type 446 SS
temperature Baking Ovens Slack Steel
Continuous furnace
Inconel 600, ceramic* Charretort, Sugar Slack Steel
section Vegetables and fruit Type 304 SS
Forging Silicon carbide, ceramic* Chemical
Soaking pits Acetic acid
Up to 2000F Inconel 600 Type 304SS, Hastelloy C,
Over 2000F Silicon carbide, ceramic* 10 to 50%, 70F
Monel
Nonferrous metals Type 316SS, Hastelloy C,
Aluminum 50%, 212F
Monel
Hexoloy, Syalon, 1100, Type 430SS, Hastelloy C,
Melting 99% 21 to 212F
Cast, Iron Monel
Heat treating Black steel Acetic Anhydride to
Not required (use dip-type Nickel
Brass or bronze 300F
thermocouple) Acetone to 212F Type 304SS
Lead Type 446 SS, black steel Acetylene to 400F Type 304SS
Magnesium Black steel, cast iron Alcohol, ethyl, methyl
Tin Extra heavy carbon steel Type 304SS
70 to 212F
Zinc Extra heavy carbon steel Alum (potassium or
Pickling tanks Chemical lead Hastelloy C
sodium) to 300F
Cement Aluminum Chloride to
Exit flues Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Hastelloy B
212F
Kilns, heating zone Inconel 600 Aluminum Sulfate to
Ceramic Type 316 SS
212F
Kiln Ceramic, and silicon carbide Ammonia All
Dryers Silicon carbide, black steel Types 304, 316 SS
concentration 70F
Vitreous enameling Inconel 600, Type 446 SS Ammonium chloride All
Paper Types 316 SS, Monel
concentration 212F
Digesters Type 316 SS, Type 446S

Alloy Engineering Company, Inc., 304 Seaview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607

www.thermowells.com engineer@thermowells.com 800-827-8240
Materials Service Guide Page 3
Chemical (contd) Chemical (contd)
Ammonium nitrate All Citric acid
Type 316 SS
concentration70 to 212F Type 304 SS, Hastelloy C
15%, 70F
Ammonium sulfate, 10% (all concentrations)
Type 316 SS
to saturated to 212F Type 316 SS, Hastelloy C
15%, 212F
Amyl acetate to 300F Type 304SS (all concentrations)
Aniline to 75F Monel, Hastelloy C Type 316 SS, Hastelloy C
Concentrated, 212F
Asphalt to 250F Type 304SS (all concentrations)
Atmosphere (industrial Copper chloride Hastelloy C
Type 304SS
& marine) Copper nitrate Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Barium chloride, all Copper sulfate Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Monel, Hastelloy C
concentration, 70F Cresols Type 304 SS
Barium hydroxide, all Cyanogen gas Type 304 SS
Low carbon steels
concentration, 70F Dowtherm Low carbon steels
Barium sulphite Nichrome Hastelloy C Ether Type 304 SS
Beer to 70F Type 304SS Ethyl acetate Monel, Type 304 SS
Benzene to 212F Type 304SS Type 304 SS, low carbon
Ethyl chloride, 70F
Benzoic acid to 212F Type 316 SS steel
Borax to 212F Brass Ethyl sulfate, 70F Monel
Boric acid to 400F Type 316 SS Ethylene glycol to 212F Type 304 SS
Brines Monel Ethylene oxide to 75F Steel
Bromine Tantalum, Monel Ferric chloride, 5%,
Tantalum, Hastelloy C
Butadiene Type 304 SS 70F to boiling
Ferric sulfate, 5%, 70F Type 304 SS
Butane Type 304 SS
Ferrous sulfate, dilute,
Type 304 SS
Butyl acetate Monel 70F
Butyl alcohol Type 304 SS Formaldehyde Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Butyric acid to 212F Hastelloy C Formic acid, 5%, 70 to
Type 316 SS
Calcium bisulphite to 150F
Hastelloy C Fluorine, anhydrous, to
75F Type 304 SS
Calcium chlorate, dilute 100F
Type 304 SS Freon Monel
70 to 150F
Calcium chloride to Furfural to 450F Type 316 SS
Hastelloy C Gallic acid, 5%, 70 to
212F Monel
Calcium hydroxide 150F
10 to 20%, 212F Type 304 SS, Hastelloy C Type 304 SS, low carbon
Gasoline, 70F
50%, 212F Type 316 SS, Hastelloy C steel
Calcium hypochlorite Glucose, 70F Type 304 SS
Monel Glycerine, 70F Type 304 SS
15% to 75F
Carbolic acid, all, to Glycerol Type 304 SS
Type 316 SS Hydrobromic acid, 98%,
212F Hastelloy B
Carbon dioxide, wet or 2017-T4 aluminum, Brass, 212F
dry Monel, Nickel Hydrochloric acid
Carbonated water, to 1%, 5% 70F Hastelloy C
Type 304 SS 1%, 5% 212F Hastelloy B
212F
Carbonated beverages, 25%, 70 to 212F Hastelloy B
Type 304 SS Hydrofluoric acid, 60%,
to 212F Hastelloy C, Monel
Carbon disulfide, to 212F
Type 304 SS Hydrogen chloride, dry,
200F Type 304 SS
Carbon tetrachloride, to to 175F
Monel Hydrogen peroxide, 70
125F Types 316 SS, 304 SS
Chlorine gas to 212F
Dry, 70F Type 316 SS, Monel Hydrogen sulfide, wet
Type 316 SS
Moist, 20 to 212F Hastelloy C and dry
Chloracetic acid, to Iodine, 70F Tantalum
Monel Lactic acid
212F
Chromic acid, 10 to 50% Type 316 SS, Hastelloy C 5%, 70F Type 304 SS, 316 SS
212F (all concentrations) 5%, 150F Type 316 SS
10%, 212F Tantalum
Magnesium chloride
5%, 70F Nickel, Monel,
5%, 212F Nickel

Alloy Engineering Company, Inc., 304 Seaview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607

www.thermowells.com engineer@thermowells.com 800-827-8240
Page 4 Materials Service Guide

Chemical (contd) Chemical (contd)

Magnesium sulfate, hot Sodium bicarbonate
Monel
and cold All concentration, 70F Type 304 SS
Muriatic acid, 70F Tantalum 5%, 150F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Naptha, 70F Type 304 SS Sodium carbonate, 5%,
Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Natural gas, 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS, 317 SS 70 to 150F
Nickel chloride, 70F Type 304 SS Sodium chloride
Nickel sulphate, hot and 5%, 70 to 150F Type 316 SS
Type 304 SS
cold Saturated, 70 to 212F Type 316 SS, Monel
Nitric acid Sodium fluoride, 5%,
Monel
5%, 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS 70F
20% 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS Types 304 S, 316 SS,
Sodium hydroxide
50% 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS Hastelloy C
50% 212F Types 304 SS, 316 SS Sodium hypochlorite,
Type 316 SS, Hastelloy C
65% 212F Type 316 SS 5% still
Concentrated, 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS Sodium nitrate, fused Type 316 SS
Concentrated, 212F Tantalum Sodium peroxide Type 304 SS
Nitrobenzene, 70F Type 304 SS Sodium sulfate, 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Oleic acid, 70F Type 316 SS Sodium sulfide, 70F Type 316 SS
Oleum, 70F Type 316 SS Sodium sulfite, 30%,
Oxalic acid Type 304 SS
150F
5% hot and cold Type 304 SS Sulfur dioxide
10%, 212F Monel Moist gas, 70F Type 316 SS
Oxygen 70F Steel Gas, 575F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Palmitic acid Type 316 SS Sulfur
Pentane Type 340 SS Dry molten Type 304 SS
Phenol Types 304 SS, 316 SS Wet Type 316 SS
Phosphoric acid Sulfuric acid
1%, 5%, 70F Type 304 SS 5%, 70 to 212F Hastelloy B, 316 SS
10%, 70F Type 316 SS 10%, 70 to 212F Hastelloy B
10%, 212F Hastelloy C 90%, 70F Hastelloy B
30%, 70 to 212F Hastelloy B Tannic acid 70F Type 304 SS, Hastelloy B
85%, 70 to 212F Hastelloy B Tartaric acid
Picric acid, 70F Type 304 SS
Potassium bromide, 70F Type 304 SS
Type 316 SS
70F 300F Type 316 SS
Potassium carbonate, 2017-T4 aluminium, low
Types 304 SS, 316 SS Toluene
1%, 70F carbon steel
Potassium chlorate, Turpentine Types 304 SS 316 SS
Type 304 SS
70F Whiskey and wine Type 304 SS, nickel
Potassium hydroxide Xylene Copper
5% 70F Type 304 SS Zinc chloride Monel
25% 212F Type 304 SS Zinc sulphate
60% 212F Type 316 SS 5% 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
Potassium nitrate Saturated 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
5%, 70F Type 304 SS 25% 212F Types 304 SS, 316 SS
5%, 212F Type 304 SS
Potassium
permanganate, 5%, Type 304 SS
70F
Potassium sulfate, 5%,
Types 304 SS, 316 SS
70F .
Potassium sulfide, 70F Types 304 SS, 316 SS 304 Seaview Avenue
Type 304 SS, low carbon Bridgeport, CT 06607
Propane
steel
Pyrogallic acid Type 304 SS Phone: 203-366-5253
Quinine bisulfate, dry Type 316 SS 800-827-8240
Quinine sulfate, dry Type 304 SS Fax: 203.334.0793
Seawater Monel, Hastelloy C
Salicylic acid Nickel E-mail: engineer@thermowells.com

Alloy Engineering Company, Inc., 304 Seaview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607

www.thermowells.com engineer@thermowells.com 800-827-8240
Materials Service Guide Page 5

Alloy Engineering Company, Inc., 304 Seaview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607

www.thermowells.com engineer@thermowells.com 800-827-8240