Indian Chemical Plant Chooses 316L Stainless Steel Plates from Zhongcheng Metal for Acid Storage Tanks
Project Overview
A major Indian chemical manufacturer needed corrosion-resistant plates to fabricate twelve acid storage tanks exposed to highly aggressive chloride environments. The facility handles concentrated acids and brines on a continuous basis, and any material failure would risk both costly downtime and serious safety incidents. Material reliability, composition accuracy and full traceability were therefore the absolute top selection criteria for this project.
Customer Profile
- Industry: Specialty chemicals
- Location: Gujarat, India
- Project: 12 acid storage tanks, total capacity 6,000 m³
The Challenge
The tanks operate in a hot, humid coastal environment where chloride-induced pitting and crevice corrosion are a constant threat. The client's previous supplier had delivered plates with inconsistent molybdenum content, which led to localized corrosion on two earlier tanks. This time, the client required every single plate to be verified by positive material identification before acceptance, and demanded that no plate exceed the stated thickness tolerance that the fabrication shop relied upon for its automatic welding procedures.
Products Supplied
Zhongcheng Metal delivered 210 tonnes of ASTM A240 316L stainless steel plate in 6 mm to 20 mm thickness, cold-rolled to 2B finish, with full mill test certificates and independent PMI verification on every bundle before dispatch.
| Item | Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 316L plate | 6-10 mm, 1500*6000 mm | 95 t |
| 316L plate | 12-20 mm, 2000*6000 mm | 115 t |
The Solution
Zhongcheng Metal sourced the plates from a mill with consistent 316L chemistry and performed independent PMI verification on every bundle before dispatch. Delivery was split into three staggered lots matched to the tank fabricator's welding sequence, so material arrived just in time for each fabrication stage. This approach minimized on-site storage while ensuring no production stage ever waited for material.
Results Delivered
- Every plate passed PMI testing with molybdenum content confirmed at 2.0-2.5%
- Delivered in three staggered lots to match the fabrication schedule, saving 20% on warehousing
- Zero material rejection across the full 210-tonne supply
- Client saved approximately 9% on total procurement cost versus local suppliers
- Thickness tolerance held within specification on 100% of plates, enabling uninterrupted automatic welding
Customer Feedback
Conclusion
The tanks entered service on schedule, and the client confirmed the 316L material continues to perform with no signs of pitting after 18 months of continuous operation. Zhongcheng Metal is now the client's preferred supplier for all corrosion-resistant plate requirements.
