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Why is stainless steel prohibited for use in steam engine boilers?

I have often wondered why the use of stainless steels are prohibited for use on steam engine boilers, I cant see why there would be any problems if the boiler is designed correctly.

Had a look everwhere, and cant seem to find anyone making even a model boiler using stainless steel. They all seem to be copper, which is obviously chosen for its conductivity properties.

As we all know, the stainless steel would offer superiour corrosion protection and is quite easy to machine.

Update:

Thanks for the sources, I already looked at the wikipedia entry, and it just repeats what ive just said, Its prohibited. It doenst say why it is prohibited... maybe someone can help.

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I'm just taking a guess here, so I don't have any info to back me up, but it might have to do with the brittleness of each metal at working temperature - certain types of stainless steel could be more prone to sudden fracture at high temperatures (which would clearly be bad in a pressure vessel); copper probably remains fairly ductile, which could allow more advance warning near the point of failure before failing outright. Or, it could just be a simple matter of efficiency, the loss in conductivity associated with using stainless steel might outweigh the benefits in most situations.

  • onstad
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

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  • guru
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    You will find the answer here and the related history.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiler

    Hope this properly answers your question

    Guru

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