Material Selection Guide
Choosing the right material is as important as sizing the eductor. This guide covers the eight materials Northeast Controls stocks — when to use each, what to avoid, and how they compare across common fluid types.
Filter by Fluid Type
Carbon Steel
The workhorse material for general industrial service. Cost-effective and widely stocked. Not suitable for corrosive fluids or food-grade applications.
Best For
- ✓ Water and steam service
- ✓ Mild process liquids
- ✓ Condensate recovery
- ✓ Non-corrosive slurries
- ✓ Petroleum products
Avoid For
- ✗ Acids and bases
- ✗ Chlorinated solvents
- ✗ Saltwater / brine
- ✗ Food and pharmaceutical
- ✗ Oxidizing agents
316 Stainless Steel
The most versatile material for industrial eductors. Excellent corrosion resistance for a wide range of chemicals. Standard choice for food, pharmaceutical, and moderate chemical service.
Best For
- ✓ Food and beverage processing
- ✓ Pharmaceutical / biotech
- ✓ Moderate acids and bases
- ✓ Saltwater and brine
- ✓ Chloride-containing fluids (moderate)
- ✓ High-purity applications
Avoid For
- ✗ Concentrated hydrochloric acid
- ✗ Concentrated sulfuric acid
- ✗ Chlorine gas
- ✗ Aggressive oxidizing acids
Bronze
Traditional material for marine and water service. Good corrosion resistance in seawater and freshwater. Not suitable for ammonia, acetylene, or high-concentration acids.
Best For
- ✓ Marine and seawater service
- ✓ Freshwater systems
- ✓ Steam condensate
- ✓ Mild process water
Avoid For
- ✗ Ammonia and amines
- ✗ Acetylene
- ✗ Strong acids
- ✗ Oxidizing agents
- ✗ Food-grade applications (check regulations)
Available In
Hastelloy C-276
Premium alloy for the most aggressive chemical environments. Excellent resistance to oxidizing and reducing acids, chlorides, and mixed acid systems. Specified when 316SS is not sufficient.
Best For
- ✓ Concentrated hydrochloric acid
- ✓ Wet chlorine gas
- ✓ Mixed acid systems
- ✓ Chloride-containing oxidizing environments
- ✓ Phosphoric acid
- ✓ Seawater at elevated temperatures
Avoid For
- ✗ Molten metals
- ✗ Strong oxidizing acids at high concentrations (fuming nitric)
Available In
PVC (Model MP)
Economical PVC construction for corrosive liquid pumping and mixing. The Model MP is available in six sizes (½″–3″) and handles a broad range of acids, bases, and aqueous solutions. Not suitable for ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, or chlorinated solvents.
Best For
- ✓ Dilute acids and bases
- ✓ Aqueous chemical solutions
- ✓ Electroplating rinse tanks
- ✓ Corrosive liquid transfer
- ✓ Low-temperature chemical service
- ✓ Cost-sensitive corrosive applications
Avoid For
- ✗ Acetone and ketones
- ✗ Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene)
- ✗ Chlorinated solvents
- ✗ Esters and ethers
- ✗ Service above 150°F
CPVC
Chlorinated PVC extends the temperature range of standard PVC by approximately 60°F. Retains PVC's broad chemical resistance while handling hot corrosive liquids. A cost-effective step up from PVC when process temperatures exceed 150°F.
Best For
- ✓ Hot corrosive liquid service (up to 210°F)
- ✓ Dilute and moderate acids
- ✓ Caustics and bases
- ✓ Hot water and aqueous solutions
- ✓ Chemical process lines requiring elevated temps
Avoid For
- ✗ Ketones and esters
- ✗ Aromatic and chlorinated solvents
- ✗ Concentrated oxidizing acids
- ✗ Service above 210°F
Available In
Polypropylene (PPL)
Glass-reinforced polypropylene for corrosive chemical service in tanks. Excellent resistance to dilute and concentrated acids, alcohols, and bases. Lower cost than PVDF.
Best For
- ✓ Dilute and concentrated acids
- ✓ Alcohols and ketones
- ✓ Bases and caustics
- ✓ Mineral oils
- ✓ Electroplating solutions
- ✓ Chemical storage tanks
Avoid For
- ✗ Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene)
- ✗ Chlorinated solvents
- ✗ Strong oxidizing acids (fuming nitric, fuming sulfuric)
- ✗ High temperature service (>220°F)
Available In
PVDF (KYNAR®)
Polyvinylidene fluoride — the premium plastic for the most aggressive chemical service. Outstanding resistance to halogens, oxidizing acids, and chlorinated solvents. Specified when PPL is not sufficient.
Best For
- ✓ Chlorine and bromine service
- ✓ Hydrofluoric acid
- ✓ Oxidizing acids (nitric, chromic)
- ✓ Chlorinated solvents
- ✓ Aggressive chemical combinations
- ✓ Semiconductor / electronics manufacturing
Avoid For
- ✗ Strong bases at elevated temperatures
- ✗ Ketones and esters (limited)
- ✗ Fuming sulfuric acid
Available In
Not Sure? Ask Our Engineers.
Material selection depends on fluid concentration, temperature, pressure, and the presence of trace contaminants. This guide covers general compatibility — for specific applications, contact Northeast Controls with your process conditions and we'll recommend the right material.
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