The benefits of using duplex and super duplex
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The petrochemical, gas and oil industries demand extremely high levels of strength and corrosion resistance in the flanges, pipes and equipment they use. Undersea gas and oil pipes are particularly vulnerable to stress cracking and corrosion from salt water. For this reason, specialised stainless steel alloys and even titanium are used in the manufacture of the pipes and flanges which hold them together.
Industrial flanges are generally made from specialised austenite stainless steel alloys. These have high levels of nickel and chromium, giving amazing levels of corrosion resistance – especially when other elements such as titanium and molybdenum are added. However, owing to their crystalline structure they lack the strength and durability of ferritic alloys, which are unsuitable for pipelines owing to their lower corrosion resistance.
The answer has been to combine the two alloy types into one. Duplex is a superior austenitic ferritic ferrous-nickel-chrome alloy, which is another way of saying it is composed 50:50 of ferritic and austenitic steel. Super duplex is an advance on this, with increased resistance to pitting and stress cracking.
Ferritic steels have a body-based cubic crystalline micro-structure, while austenitic are face-based. Duplex, however, has a mixed microstructure. First developed over 70 years ago, it was quickly found that the combined structure was greater than the sum of its parts. For this reason, it is widely used in the petrochemical sector.
Duplex and super duplex flanges have extreme strength, and are highly resistant to corrosion, pitting, cracking and fatigue. In addition, they have high thermal conductivity coupled with low thermal expansion.
At Chemi Petro we supply flanges in a range of alloys, including titanium, duplex and super duplex. |
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Author Resource:-
The Article is written by chemipetro.co.uk providing Duplex and Super Duplex Services. Visit http://www.chemipetro.co.uk for more information on chemipetro.co.uk Products & Services___________________________
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This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copyright statement must be included. Visit chemipetro.co.uk for more services!
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By :
Davis Morris
Submitted
2009-11-20 21:14:28 |
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