ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a materials selection process, in which the materials selection template and its notes addendum form the centerpiece. In the first step, information about basic metallurgy, corrosion and degradation phenomena are collected and used to design templates and notes addenda tailored to the specific needs of a plant. In the second step, materials of construction are selected. In the third step, the materials selection diagram is used to check for materials selection consistency and to document any special measures used for corrosion or degradation control. Creating an unnecessarily elaborate template is costly and will slow the process of materials selection. Before designing a template, one should first identify any special requirements that will affect materials selection. There are probably as many ways of using a material selection template to select materials as there are people charged with doing the job. While the normal criteria for materials selection address design life, there are other instances when other criteria govern.
