What are Duplex Stainless Steel
Duplex Stainless Steel is composed of roughly equal parts ferrite stainless steel and austenite stainless steel. By combining both steel sheets into one metal, the most appealing properties of each are combined to form a stainless steel family with exceptional properties. Duplex stainless steels are resistant to cracking caused by chloride stress corrosion in austenitic grades, and they have improved resistance to localized corrosion. Because this stainless steel family has roughly twice the yield strength of its austenitic counterparts, we can design thinner gauge tubing. Higher hardness values provide better wear resistance in high precision tubes.
Austenitic Duplex steel grades are simple to weld and form. Based on their chromium, nickel, and molybdenum content, duplex stainless steels are classified into four types: lean duplex, duplex, super duplex, and hyper duplex. This alloy family offers significant material and engineered fabrication cost savings.
In high-temperature applications where corrosion is a major concern, stainless steel pipes are used. At the turn of the century, stainless steel was developed to meet the growing demand for more durable steel that could withstand demanding service conditions in a variety of industries. Stainless steel evolved from standard carbon steel by adding alloying elements like nickel and chromium to the base iron. The addition of such alloying elements improves the corrosion resistance of steel in harsh environments.
Advantages of Duplex Stainless Steel:
Duplex stainless steel has numerous advantages, including:
Strength: Duplex stainless steels are approximately twice as strong as standard austenitic or ferritic stainless steels.
Toughness and ductility: Duplex stainless steels are tougher and ductile than ferritic grades, but they are not as soft as austenitic grades.
Corrosion resistance: As with all stainless steel, corrosion resistance is primarily determined by the stainless steel’s composition, with the most important elements being chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen. Duplex stainless steels are extremely corrosion resistant, and they resist stress corrosion cracking even in chloride and sulfide environments (SCC). SCC is a type of corrosion that occurs when certain conditions are met, including tensile stress, a corrosive environment, and a sufficiently high temperature.
Heat Resistance: Duplex stainless steel is more heat conductive than austenitic steel and has lower thermal expansion. Duplex grades are easily used down to temperatures of at least -50°C because they have greater ductility at low temperatures than ferritic grades of steel.
Cost: Duplex stainless steels are less expensive than austenitic stainless steels because they contain less nickel and molybdenum. Duplex stainless steels can be less expensive due to their lower alloying content. Furthermore, the thickness of duplex stainless steel may be reduced due to the increased yield strength. Thinner products can help you lose a lot of weight.
Weldability: Duplex stainless steels are weldable and can be welded using any standard welding process, though they are not as easily welded as other stainless steels, such as austenitic grades.
Applications of Duplex Steel
Duplex stainless steel is used in the following applications:
- Chemical Processing, Transportation, and Storage.
- Pipelines used in the production and transportation of oil and gas
- Exploration for oil and gas, as well as offshore drilling rigs
- Refining of oil and gas
- Environments in the sea
- Pollution control technology
- Manufacturing of pulp and paper
- Plant for chemical processing
- Mechanical and structural components
- Exchangers of heat
- Pipes for cooling
Source: Duplex Stainless Steel Sheets and Plates Manufacturers
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