Compatibility Atlas
Material Compatibility Reference
Carbon Steel — Fluid Compatibility
Which industrial fluids Carbon Steel valves can handle — rated across 53 process media with engineering notes. The compatibility reference for specifying Carbon Steel body and trim.
What fluids is Carbon Steel compatible with?
Carbon Steel is rated across 53 industrial fluids in our compatibility data. It performs well in Acetone (Propanone), Ammonia (NH₃), Argon (Ar), Bitumen / Asphalt, Boiler Feedwater (BFW), Carbon Monoxide (CO). It is not recommended for Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH), Brine / Sodium Chloride Solution, Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄), Seawater, Slurry - Abrasive Pulp / Mineral Slurry, Urea Solution (Carbamide / DEF / AdBlue). Full ratings and notes below — always confirm against concentration, temperature and velocity.
Material grades & metallurgy
Excellent20 fluids
Acetone (Propanone)Standard for acetone. No corrosion issues.
Ammonia (NH₃)Standard for ammonia - both refrigerant and process service.
Argon (Ar)Excellent for gaseous argon at all pressures.
Bitumen / AsphaltStandard for all bitumen service.
Boiler Feedwater (BFW)Standard material for BFW valves up to Class 2500.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)Standard for most CO service. PWHT required for weld-end valves.
Diesel Fuel / Fuel OilStandard for all diesel and fuel oil service.
Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO / Bunker C / Fuel Oil No. 6)Standard for HFO pipelines and tank connections with heat tracing.
Hot Oil (Thermal Heat Transfer Fluid)Standard material for all hot oil service up to 400°C at Class 150–300.
Hot Water (District Heating / Process Hot Water)Standard for district heating networks.
LPG - Liquefied Petroleum GasStandard material for LPG at all temperatures.
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol)Standard for methanol at all temperatures.
Naphtha (Light / Heavy Naphtha)Standard for naphtha storage, transfer, and blending.
Natural GasStandard pipeline material for sweet natural gas.
Nitrogen (N₂)Excellent for ambient and elevated temperature nitrogen service.
Propane (C₃H₈ - LPG Component)Standard for propane storage spheres and pipeline service.
Propylene / Propene (C₃H₆)Standard material for propylene pipelines and storage.
Toluene (C₇H₈)Standard for toluene service.
Vacuum ServiceStandard for high-temperature refinery vacuum service.
Xylene (C₈H₁₀ - Ortho, Meta, Para)Standard for xylene storage and distribution.
Good17 fluids
Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening)Acceptable for lean amine at low temperature with velocity limits <3 m/s. Not for rich amine regenerator.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)Dry CO₂ only. Wet CO₂ corrodes rapidly - specify corrosion inhibitor or upgrade material.
Caustic Potash (KOH - Potassium Hydroxide)Acceptable for KOH <50% up to 80°C. SCC risk above 80°C for stressed CS.
Caustic Soda (NaOH)Acceptable up to 50% NaOH at ambient temperature. Not for hot concentrated caustic.
Chlorine (Cl₂)Acceptable for dry chlorine gas and liquid. Passivates with iron chloride layer.
Compressed AirSuitable for dry compressed air. Corrodes in wet air - use coated internals for humid service.
Cooling WaterStandard for closed-loop cooling water. Open circuit: corrosion inhibitor program required.
Crude OilStandard for sweet crude. NACE MR0175 hardness limits for sour service.
Ethanol / Industrial Alcohol (C₂H₅OH)Acceptable for most ethanol service; some corrosion with dilute aqueous ethanol.
Ethylene (C₂H₄)Suitable for gaseous ethylene above −29°C; not for cryogenic liquid.
Glycerine / Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃)Acceptable for industrial glycerine (non-pharma).
High-Pressure SteamUp to ~425°C. Standard for steam to ASME Class 600.
Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)Forms iron fluoride passivation layer. Acceptable for anhydrous HF and high concentrations. Not for dilute aqueous HF.
MEG / Glycol (Monoethylene Glycol - Gas Dehydration)Acceptable with corrosion inhibitor dosing. Monitor oxygen ingress - causes accelerated corrosion.
Phenol (C₆H₅OH - Carbolic Acid)Acceptable for phenol pipelines with heat tracing.
Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄)Only for >93% concentrated acid at ambient temperature. Not for dilute acid.
Synthesis Gas (Syngas - CO + H₂)Acceptable for lower partial pressure H₂ service per API 941 Nelson curves. PWHT mandatory.
Fair5 fluids
Demineralised Water (DM Water / Deionised Water)Corrodes rapidly in aggressive DM water. Acceptable only with pH control and oxygen scavenging.
Hydrogen (H₂)Max 22 HRC per NACE MR0175 for sour/H₂ service. Not for HP hydrogen.
MolassesCan be used for non-contact parts; mild corrosion from organic acids.
Nitric Acid (HNO₃)Only for >65% concentration at ambient temperature - passivation layer forms.
Oxygen (O₂ - Industrial and Medical Grade)Can burn in high-pressure oxygen. Only for low-pressure (<10 bar) utility oxygen with careful cleaning.
Poor6 fluids
Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH)Severely attacked by all concentrations of acetic acid.
Brine / Sodium Chloride SolutionHigh corrosion rate in any brine concentration without inhibitor.
Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄)High corrosion rate in most phosphoric acid concentrations.
SeawaterHigh corrosion rate. Acceptable only with cathodic protection and coating.
Slurry - Abrasive Pulp / Mineral SlurryRapid wear in abrasive slurry. Acceptable only for very low-velocity or coarse-settle slurry.
Urea Solution (Carbamide / DEF / AdBlue)Not recommended for concentrated or hot urea - severe corrosion.
Not Recommended5 fluids
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂)Rapidly oxidised by ClO₂.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)Rapid attack at all concentrations.
Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂)Brittle fracture risk below −29°C. Never use for cryogenic LN₂ service.
LNG / Cryogenic Natural GasBrittle fracture risk below -29°C. Never use for cryogenic service.
Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl - Bleach)Rapidly corroded by any NaOCl concentration.
Reviewed by Materials Engineering, Vajra Industrial SolutionsDiscipline: Valve Metallurgy & Materials SelectionLast reviewed: 20 June 2026
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