Although stainless steel is famous for its corrosion resistance, it is not truly stainless or rust-proof. In environments rich in chlorides—such as seawater, de-icing salt, or chloride-based cleaners—the protective oxide film on the surface can be locally broken down. Once this happens, tiny holes, known as pitting, begin to form, and they can grow deep into the pipe wall without being obvious from the outside, eventually causing leaks.

This is why ordinary grades like 304 stainless steel pipe are not recommended for coastal or marine applications; in such conditions, you should choose a molybdenum-containing grade such as 316 stainless steel pipe, which offers much stronger resistance to chloride attack.

In short, as a China stainless steel pipe manufacturer, the most important thing we always remind our customers is to know their environment: chloride-rich conditions require a higher grade, no matter how stainless the name sounds.