B07 · Solar Thermal & PV
Stainless Steel Sheets for Solar & Solar Thermal: Selection and 3 Item Lists
In our solar thermal applications, we have organized three stainless steel parts: commonly used 316L / 310S / 304, with thickness ranging from 1-30 mm.
Three Parts and Material List
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Specification / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Racks/Fasteners | 304/316/A2-70/A4-70 | Tubing 1–5mm; M8–M16 | 2B/Dielectric/Coating | Outdoor Cl⁻+ Acid Rain+ Stress Corrosion; 304 PREN≈18, 316L≈25 | GB/T 3280；GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 37658 |
| Multicrystalline Silicon Reduction Vessel Wall/Electrodes | 316L/310S/904L | 3–20mm | 2B/Acid Wash | High temperature + chlorosilane/HCl corrosion | ASTM A240；GB/T 3280 |
| Solar absorber/heat exchanger tank/vacuum pipes | 316L/310S/347H | 2–30mm | 2B/acid washing | High temperature molten salt + thermal circulation + chloride corrosion | ASTM A240；GB/T 3280 |
Inside table isStandard configuration. browse products
Material selection
- What are the most common grades in this industry? (Click to view)
- Corrosion from chloride and salt is the most common source (click for details).
- Hot sections also suffer from hot fatigue and oxidation, requiring 310S / heat-resistant castings (click for details).
- Thickness range: 1–30 mm. Thin plates are mostly formed parts (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracking), thick plates are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Common Issues
Which stainless steel is used most in PV and CSP?
Based on the total number of these three components, 316L (2), 310S (2), and 304 (1) appear most frequently. Specific to a part depends on the medium and temperature, e.g., stainless countertops that come into contact with salt water should switch from 304 to 316L.
What parts are prone to issues?
Failure description: Outdoor Cl⁻+ acid rain + stress corrosion, Recommended grades: 304/316/A2-70/A4-70, Dimensions: 1–5mm steel bar, Size range: M8–M16, Design phase considerations: media concentration, temperature, cleaning method
What thickness should I select?
Thickness range in the list is 1–30 mm. For thin plates, consider bending and surface finish; for thick plates, welding and structural strength. Values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same location. Recheck with your drawing or operating conditions.
Related Materials & Adjacent Industries
Applications3
Thickness1–30mm
Grades316