What Is Duplex Stainless Steel: Composition
Stainless steel is a type of steel combined with the alloying material chromium. It is very popular because of its many applications nowadays. Depending on the presence of other alloying materials, different stainless steel families possess different properties. Among the best known stainless steel families are the austenitic, ferritic and duplex stainless steel.
So, what is duplex stainless steel? Duplex stainless steel is called duplex because it is composed of a two-phased microstructure that results from the lessened amount of nickel in the composition. It consists of both austenitic and ferritic structures- thus both austenitic and ferritic properties as well. Austenitic stainless steel is mechanical, ductile and formable, yet less corrosion resistant. Ferritic stainless steel is less mechanical but more resistant to corrosion. Duplex is a combination of both.
What Is Duplex Stainless Steel: Properties And Uses
Duplex stainless steel has the strength and mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel and the corrosion resistance of the ferritic stainless steel. It is ductile and formable just like the austenitic stainless steel, but also resistant to chloride exposure, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking like ferritic stainless steel. Duplex stainless steel is much stronger than regular steel though, generally yielding twice the strength of austenitic stainless steel.
Duplex stainless steel is widely utilized in various industries such as petrochemical and food processing industries. Its superior properties from the combined austenitic and ferritic microstructures yielded its increasing importance in many applications such as heat exchangers, chemical tankers and most importantly, the shipbuilding sector. Its remarkable strength and resistance to corrosion is the reason why duplex stainless steel is used in the manufacture of various marine vessels like yachts, ferries, tankers, fishing vessels, liners and tug boats.
Duplex steel is a material that offers a lot of benefits, particularly in reducing production costs for more efficient materials for various areas in marine engineering. Shipbuilding industries find great value in the best quality duplex stainless steel products in their business. More and more people are discovering and realizing its advantages.