The metallurgic properties of various materials affect pump characteristics including what the equipment can tolerate, the finishes it has and what type of friction it can handle. This determines the selection of seals, lubricants and bearings in pumps. In this article, you will learn what makes metal magnetic, hard, soft, or corrosion or abrasion resistant.

As any austenitic stainless steel would be, 316 stainless steel is very soft. So how does this stainless steel offer strong protection against cavitation? Stainless steel provides excellent resistance to cavitation because of its work-hardening property.

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