Duplex and super duplex are types of stainless steel that have so many industrial and commercial applications when used for pipes and flanges… but how much do you truly know about the precise composition of duplex, and why it is as effective as it is for so many such purposes? Well, just allow us to explain.
As a material, duplex combines approximately equal amounts of ferrite and austenite, which offer high strength in addition to excellent corrosion resistance. The ductile or brittle transition of duplex material is at around -50 degrees, and indeed, its mechanical properties are approximately double those of singular austenitic steel. For indefinite use, embrittlement tends to dictate a restriction of the high temperature of duplex to a maximum temperature of 300 degrees.
Duplex stainless steels feature a mixed microstructure of ferrite and austenite, and although the aim is to produce a 50/50 mix, in commercial alloys there may be a 60/40 mix respectively. By investing in duplex steels, you can be assured of greater strength than austenite alternatives, as well as better resistance to local corrosion.
What about super duplex?
Advantages of super duplex over other duplex steels include better cracking resistance, stress corrosion and mechanical properties. Super duplex pipeline supplies have a high resistance to corrosion that has long made them a great choice for oil and gas applications, both onshore and offshore. Super duplex also offers such advantages as a very high tensile strength and a good resistance to pitting.
How can I find duplex and super duplex stainless steel products?
Whatever the exact product that your company requires that is made out of duplex or super duplex steel, if you’re interested in all things duplex, then you could certainly do much worse than search online for ‘duplex’, via Google, Bing or any other popular search engine. This strategy should bring you a long list of companies to choose from that offer duplex and super duplex products… meaning that all you have to do is choose the right one.
As for how you do that… well, it certainly helps to choose a supplier that has a strong industry reputation, as well as that prices its products competitively!
SPM.co.uk stocks everything from pipes and fittings to flanges in alloy 625 and alloy 825. To learn more about duplex and other products visit their website today.