The selection of materials for wetted pump components requires many considerations but often comes down to user and manufacturer experience and requirements in regulations and standards. The experience and regulatory requirements and standards consider items like the required pump life, how often the pump is operated, corrosive and erosive properties of the fluid, hazardous nature and toxicity of the fluid and the potential for cavitation damage. In addition, the corrosive and erosive properties of the fluid may vary with temperature, concentration of chemicals or solids, liquid velocity and entrained gases, which reinforces the fact that standards and experience should be followed.
Standards and organizations that can be referenced for recommendations on materials of construction are as follows:
Hydraulic Institute:
- ANSI/HI 9.1-9.5 Pumps General Guidelines for Materials, Sound Testing and Decontamination
- ANIS/HI 3.1-3.5 Rotary Pumps
- ANSI/HI 5.1-5.6 Rotodynamic Sealless Pumps
- HI 6.1-6.5 – Reciprocating Power Pumps
- ANSI/HI 7.1-7.5 – Controlled Volume Metering Pumps
- ANSI/HI 10.1-10.5 – Air-Operated Pumps
- ANSI/HI 12.1-12.6 Rotodynamic
- Centrifugal Slurry Pumps
- ANSI/HI 14.3 Rotodynamic Pumps for Design & Application
- HI 30.1 Specification for General Purpose OH1 Rotodynamic Pumps (Free)
- Pump Application Guidebooks for: Water Treatment Plant Pumps, Wastewater Treatment Plant Pumps, Power Plant Pumps and Commercial Building Services
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Chemical Process Pumps – ANSI/ASME B73.1, B73.2 and B73.3
American Water Works Association
- Water and Wastewater Pumps – ANSI/AWWA E102, E103 and E110
American Petroleum Institute
- Petroleum Handling Pumps – API 610, 674, 675 and 676
National Fire Protection Agency
- Fire Water Pumps – NFPA 20
Lastly, refer to the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) for additional materials selection guidelines based on corrosiveness.
For more information on the topic of materials used in pumping applications, refer to ANSI/HI 9.1-9.5 at pumps.org.