Which factor is crucial when choosing materials for a high-pressure boiler?

When selecting materials for a high-pressure boiler, the ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures is a crucial factor. High-pressure boilers operate under extreme conditions, requiring materials that can maintain their structural integrity without deforming or failing. This ensures not only the reliability and safety of the boiler but also its efficiency in conducting heat and steam production.

Materials must possess specific mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and fatigue resistance, to handle the stresses imposed by high-pressure steam and variable operational temperatures. If a material fails to meet these requirements, it can lead to catastrophic failures, potentially resulting in hazardous situations.

While cost-effectiveness, availability, and resistance to corrosion are important aspects to consider in material selection, they become secondary to the fundamental requirement that the material must endure the rigors of high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Without this core competency, issues would arise regardless of the materials' other beneficial traits.