316L handles most food, pharmaceutical, mild chemical and coastal duties. Move to duplex 2205 when chloride content rises, temperature exceeds about 60 °C in chloride water, or strength can reduce plate thickness and weight. Move to super duplex for seawater, sour gas and hot brines.
Clad plate suits large vessels and pipelines where the stainless layer provides corrosion resistance and the carbon steel backing provides cheap thickness; check that fabricators are experienced with clad welding.
For acids, go by concentration and temperature charts: 904L and Alloy 20 for sulphuric acid, 254 SMO and C276 for mixed acids and chlorides, 310S and 253 MA for heat. When in doubt, ask the mill's technical service with the exact process conditions.