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Pyrolysis technology represents a viable strategy for the conversion of waste into valuable fuels and products, which remains a core tenet of the circular economy. Notably, higher temperatures, corrosive environment, and mechanical stresses warrant careful material selection in constructing reactors in order to ensure operational efficiency and durability. This work presents a comparison of four candidate high-performance steel alloys: Stainless Steel 310S, Inconel 625, 253 MA and AISI 321 (also known as 321 SS) in relation to their applicability for commercial scale pyrolysis reactors. Each alloy has been assessed based on a set of criteria including thermal stability, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and suitability for thermal processing of a variety of feedstocks (plastics, biomass, and organic waste). Results suggest that the best alloy, in terms of mechanical strength and resistance to high temperatures and/or chemical degradation, is Inconel 625, making it favourable for a reactor employed in the pyrolysis of plastics and other synthetic waste. A favourable alloy for continuous, high-temperature operation with good oxidation resistance and strength is 253 MA. The cost-effective option for comparative purposes is Stainless Steel 310S, which could find a niche in a variety of applications in pyrolysis. Lastly, an alloy with titanium stabilization, AISI 321 is suitable for reactor processing biomass and organic waste. The importance of materials selection permitting maximum performance while minimizing maintenance costs and impacting the long-term sustainability of pyrolysis technology is an important contribution of this study. Exploration of alloy modification through the addition of elements or surface coating, applicable for developing future pyrolysis technology research, is in line with emerging research and a useful consideration for commercial pyrolysis applications.
Keywords: Metallurgy, steel, properties, applications, testing methods© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.