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Call today for a free estimate
North America: +1-918-437-5400
South America: +56-2-2243-9345
Australia-Asia-NZ: +64-3-545-0445

Why Duplex Stainless Steels Are Stronger Than Regular Austenitic or Ferritic Stainless Steels.

by Jun 8, 2017News

If you are looking for a highly durable material that can work in a number of applications, duplex stainless steel is frequently the right material for the job. This steel’s makeup makes it one of the better choices for applications where your steel will undergo exposure to corrosives and other types of stress.

What is duplex stainless steel?

Duplex stainless steel gets its name from its two-phase microstructure. This microstructure contains grains of both austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. When duplex is heated, it takes on a completely ferritic structure. The structures form when the steel is cooled again; about half of the ferritic grains will turn into austenitic grains, creating a mixture that is roughly half austenite and half ferrite. The result is a steel that is tougher than either of these alone.

Characteristics of duplex

That combination of austenitic and ferritic in duplex’s structure gives the material a number of highly attractive properties. These include:

  • High resistance to corrosion. Like austenitic stainless steels, depending on their composition, duplex stainless steel grades offer a wide range of corrosion resistance. Those with good nitrogen, molybdenum and chromium content are highly resistant to both crevice corrosion and chloride pitting.
  • High strength. On average, duplex stainless steel is about twice as strong as either ferritic or austenitic stainless steels.
  • High toughness and ductility. Duplex stainless steel can be more easily formed under pressure than ferritic grades and also have superior toughness. While they do not have the same values as austenitic grades, duplex’s other qualities can often make up for that.
  • Cost effectiveness. Duplex stainless steel can offer the same sort of corrosion resistance that austenitic can while using lower levels of nickel and molybdenum. Additionally, stainless steel parts can often be thinner than austenitic while offering the same strength. Together, this allows for lower costs when using duplex than when using other types of steel.

For years, Great Plains Stainless Steel has taken pride in our ability to make your stainless steel purchases painless. We can advise you on the best material for your project to allow you to get the qualities you need at an affordable price. With offices around the world, we can help you regardless of where you project is located. Not sure what to use for your next stainless steel project? Get in touch. We can discuss your options and help you choose the right one for you.

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