Stainless steel
While standard steel is prone to rusting, stainless steel, especially higher grades like 316, is known for its resistance to chloride corrosion, which is why it’s commonly used in marine and water industries. In environments with harsh chemicals, advanced alloys such as 904L, 254 SMO, or Alloy 20 may be required.
Stainless steel is also especially strong; important for applications that will need to withstand a heavy load.
Although durable, however, stainless steel can be heavier and more costly to transport and install compared to alternatives.
Titanium
Titanium delivers exceptional resistance to acidic solutions and chlorine, making it ideal for desalination plants and chemical processing. Its strength and resistance to harsh chemicals are significant advantages, although its cost and weight may limit its use for general construction or access structures, especially compared to aluminium or GRP.
Nickel alloys
Nickel alloys excel in highly corrosive environments and are vital for the chemical processing and water desalination systems.
Nickel alloys also offer excellent thermal stability. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures without compromising its structural integrity ensures that infrastructure made from this material stands the test of time. It’s also very durable, requiring little maintenance, even in aggressive environments.
Nickel is a lot heavier than other materials like GRP or aluminium, however, making it less suitable for certain applications. Plus, it’s more expensive, due to its relative scarcity and higher production costs.
Galvanised steel
Galvanised steel is widely used in structural, safety and access-related infrastructure in the sector, especially for above-ground, non-immersed applications like handrailing, or for protected or indoor water treatment facilities, where exposure to aggressive substances is limited.
However, harsh chemicals like chloride, sulphides and acids can strip its galvanising layer, leading to rapid corrosion, which is why it’s not usually considered for direct-contact or submerged applications. In these instances, materials like stainless steel or GRP are usually preferred.
GRP (glass reinforced polymer)
GRP, also known as fibreglass, is a versatile material for a range of applications in wastewater environments, from access structures and ladders, to trough covers, raised walkways and screening facilities. Its resistance to corrosion, UV radiation, and temperature fluctuations makes it ideal for challenging installations. Meanwhile, its anti-slip properties make it ideal for creating safe and high-performance walkways.
Probably the biggest advantage of GRP is its strength-to-weight ratio though. For this reason, it’s often selected as an alternative to steel for products like chamber covers and fall arrest covers, where its lightweight quality makes it easier to handle during installation.
In addition, next-generation GRP delivers the same durability and safety with up to a third less embodied carbon, allowing companies and organisations in this sector to save on installation and maintenance costs while supporting sustainability and net-zero targets.
Its low maintenance properties also help to reduce long-term costs, making it an attractive choice for complex shapes and grating.
By choosing the right material for their infrastructure needs, contractors and project managers can drastically improve lifespan, safety, and cost-efficiency.
