What is Duplex Stainless Steel Casting

What is Duplex Stainless Steel Casting?


Duplex stainless steel casting refers to the process of forming complex components from duplex stainless steel alloys, which combine both austenitic and ferritic structures.

The unique properties of duplex stainless steel make it an invaluable material in modern manufacturing, especially in industries that require high strength, Корозійна стійкість, і довговічність.

Its dual-phase microstructure offers a balance of properties that are difficult to achieve with other materials, making it a preferred choice for a wide range of applications.

У цьому блозі, we will explore the intricacies of duplex stainless steel casting, its properties, the casting process, and how it’s applied across various industries.

1. What is Duplex Stainless Steel?

Dual-Phase Structure

Duplex stainless steel is named for its unique dual-phase structure, which combines austenitic and ferritic grains.

The austenite phase is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, while the ferrite phase provides enhanced strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

This structure makes duplex stainless steel particularly suitable for harsh environments, where both strength and corrosion resistance are critical.

austenitic and ferritic
austenitic and ferritic

Typical Chemical Compositions of Duplex Stainless Steels

Сорт UNS Number Вуглець (C) Manganese (Мн) Кремнію (І) Phosphorus (С) Sulfur (S) Chromium (Cr) Нікель (У) Молібден (Mo) Nitrogen (N) Others
2205 S31803/S32205 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 21.5 - 23.5 4.5 - 6.5 2.5 - 3.5 0.14 - 0.22 -
2507 S32750 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 25 - 27 3.5 - 4.5 3.5 - 4.5 0.25 - 0.35 -
2304 S32304 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 22 - 23 1.5 - 2.5 1.5 - 2.5 0.10 - 0.20 -
2101 S32101 0.030 1.50 1.00 0.030 0.020 19 - 21 0.8 - 1.2 0.3 - 0.7 0.08 - 0.12 -
2707H S32707 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 26 - 28 4.0 - 5.0 3.5 - 4.5 0.25 - 0.35 -
2825 S32825 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 24 - 26 4.0 - 5.0 3.0 - 4.0 0.20 - 0.30 -
32760 S32760 0.030 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 24 - 26 6.0 - 7.0 3.5 - 4.5 0.20 - 0.30 Куточок: 0.5 - 1.5%
329J4L S32948 0.020 2.00 1.00 0.030 0.020 22 - 24 3.0 - 4.5 3.0 - 4.0 0.20 - 0.30 Ш: 0.5 - 1.5%

Equivalent Grade

Standard Duplex Stainless Steel (Напр., 2205)

  • UNS: S31803 / S32205
  • ASTM/AISI: 2205
  • У: 1.4462
  • Він: SUS329J3L
  • AFNOR: Z3 CND 22-05 Az

Super Duplex Stainless Steel (Напр., 2507)

  • UNS: S32750 / S32760
  • ASTM/AISI: 2507
  • У: 1.4410
  • Він: SUS329J4L
  • AFNOR: Z3 CN 25-06 Az

2. Duplex Stainless Steel Casting Process

What is Casting?

Casting is a manufacturing process where molten metal is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify. The basic steps include:

  1. Melting: The duplex stainless steel is melted in a furnace.
  2. Заливання: The molten metal is poured into a pre-prepared mold.
  3. Solidification: The metal cools and solidifies in the mold, taking the shape of the mold.
  4. Закінчення: The cast part is removed from the mold and undergoes finishing processes such as grinding, обробка, and heat treatment.
Duplex Stainless Steel Casting
Duplex Stainless Steel Casting

Special Requirements for Duplex Stainless Steel Casting

Casting duplex stainless steel presents unique challenges:

  • Maintaining Phase Balance: Controlling the cooling rate and temperature is crucial to maintaining the correct balance between the austenitic and ferritic phases.
  • Avoiding Phase Separation: Rapid cooling can lead to the formation of undesirable phases, such as the sigma phase, which can reduce ductility and toughness.
  • Controlling Microstructure: Precise control over casting parameters is necessary to achieve the desired microstructure and mechanical properties.

Загальні методи кастингу

Метод Опис Переваги
Інвестиційне кастинг Ideal for producing complex and precise parts with smooth surfaces. Висока точність, smooth surface finish, suitable for intricate designs.
Пісочний кастинг Suitable for larger parts and more complex geometries, often used for prototyping and small production runs. Cost-effective for small to medium production runs, flexibility in design.
Кастинг Less common for duplex stainless steel but can be used for high-volume production of smaller, simpler parts. High production speed, consistent quality, cost-effective for large volumes.

Advantages of Casting Duplex Stainless Steel

  • Complex Geometries: The casting process enables the creation of intricate and detailed shapes, which are often difficult or impossible to machine.
  • Економічний: For large production runs, casting reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining consistent quality.
  • High Precision: Casting duplex stainless steel allows for components with precise dimensions, minimizing the need for extensive post-processing.

3. Key Properties of Duplex Stainless Steel

Duplex stainless steels are a family of Нержавіючі сталі that combine the microstructural features of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels.

This unique combination provides a balance of properties that make duplex stainless steel highly desirable for a wide range of applications,

particularly in environments where high strength, Корозійна стійкість, and toughness are required.

Duplex Stainless Steel Pipes
Duplex Stainless Steel Pipes

Chemical Properties

Корозійна стійкість

  • Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Resistance: Duplex stainless steels exhibit excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, which are common issues in chloride-containing environments.
    This is due to their higher chromium and molybdenum content compared to standard austenitic stainless steels.
  • Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) Resistance: Duplex stainless steels have superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking, especially in chloride environments.
    This property is crucial in applications involving hot, saline solutions, such as those found in offshore oil and gas platforms.
  • General Corrosion Resistance: The balanced microstructure of duplex stainless steels provides good general corrosion resistance,
    making them suitable for a variety of corrosive media, including acids and alkaline solutions.

Intergranular Corrosion

  • Low Carbon Content: Duplex stainless steels typically have a low carbon content, which minimizes the risk of intergranular corrosion.
    This is achieved by controlling the carbon content to levels below 0.03%, which helps prevent the formation of chromium carbides at grain boundaries.

Зварюваність

  • Welding Characteristics: Despite their high strength, duplex stainless steels can be welded using conventional techniques.
    Однак, care must be taken to control the heat input and cooling rate to avoid the formation of undesirable phases,
    such as the sigma phase, which can reduce ductility and toughness.

Environmental Stability

  • Chloride Environments: Duplex stainless steels are particularly well-suited for chloride-rich environments,
    such as seawater and brines, where they provide excellent resistance to chloride-induced corrosion.

Physical Properties

Щільність

  • Value: Приблизно 7.8 g/cm³
  • Significance: The density of duplex stainless steels is similar to that of other stainless steels, making them suitable for applications where weight is not a critical factor.
    Однак, their high strength-to-weight ratio still offers advantages in certain applications.

Механічні властивості

  • Похідна сила: Duplex stainless steels have a yield strength that is typically twice that of austenitic stainless steels.
    Наприклад, the yield strength of 2205 duplex stainless steel can range from 450 до 750 MPA.
  • Сила на розрив: The tensile strength of duplex stainless steels is also higher than that of austenitic stainless steels, often ranging from 550 до 850 MPA.
  • Elongation: Despite their high strength, duplex stainless steels maintain reasonable elongation, typically around 25-30%, which provides good ductility and formability.
  • Impact Toughness: Duplex stainless steels exhibit excellent impact toughness, even at low temperatures, making them suitable for cryogenic applications.

Thermal Properties

  • Теплопровідність: Duplex stainless steels have a higher thermal conductivity than austenitic stainless steels, which can range from 15 до 30 W/m·K.
    This property is beneficial in applications where efficient heat transfer is required.
  • Теплове розширення: The coefficient of thermal expansion for duplex stainless steels is lower than that of austenitic stainless steels, typically around 10.5 до 12.5 µm/m·°C.
    This property reduces thermal stresses and deformation in high-temperature applications.

Electrical Properties

  • Electrical Resistivity: The electrical resistivity of duplex stainless steel is higher than that of carbon steel but lower than that of austenitic stainless steel.
    It typically ranges from 70 до 80 µΩ·cm, which affects their suitability for electrical applications.

Magnetic Properties

  • Ferromagnetic Behavior: Unlike austenitic stainless steels, duplex stainless steels are ferromagnetic due to their ferritic phase.
    This property can be advantageous in certain applications, such as magnetic separation processes, but maybe a disadvantage in others where non-magnetic materials are required.
Property Typical Value Description and Application Benefits
Похідна сила 450-550 MPA Approximately twice the yield strength of austenitic stainless steels like 304 і 316, making duplex steels ideal for structural and load-bearing applications.
Щільність ~7.8 g/cm³ Similar to other stainless steels, suitable for components requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Elastic Modulus 190-210 GPa Offers rigidity, which is beneficial in applications requiring structural integrity under load.
Теплопровідність ~25 W/m·K Higher than that of austenitic stainless steels, advantageous for heat transfer applications in chemical processing and energy industries.
Теплове розширення 13.5 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Lower thermal expansion rate than austenitic grades, making it well-suited for applications with temperature fluctuations to reduce risks of thermal stress and deformation.

4. Applications of Duplex Stainless Steel Castings

Oil and Gas Industry

  • Offshore Platforms: Valves, pipelines, and pressure vessels that require excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and harsh chemicals.
  • Onshore Facilities: Components for refining and processing plants, such as heat exchangers and storage tanks.
S32205 Valve
S32205 Valve

Морські програми

  • Shipbuilding: Hull components, гвинти, and other parts exposed to seawater.
  • Desalination Plants: Equipment for water treatment and desalination processes, where corrosion resistance is critical.

Chemical Processing and Pulp & Paper Industry

  • Reactors and Heat Exchangers: Components that handle aggressive chemicals and high pressures.
  • Storage Tanks: Vessels for storing and transporting corrosive substances.

Power Generation

  • High-Pressure Systems: Components for steam turbines, boilers, and heat exchangers.
  • Nuclear Power Plants: Parts that require high strength and corrosion resistance in radioactive environments.

Промисловість продуктів харчування та напоїв

  • Processing Equipment: Pumps, клапани, and machinery parts that need to resist corrosion from cleaning chemicals and food-related substances.
  • Storage Tanks: Containers for storing and transporting food and beverages.

5. Advantages of Duplex Stainless Steel Castings

Superior Corrosion Resistance

  • Atmospheric and Underwater Environments: The combination of austenitic and ferritic phases enhances the material’s resistance to corrosion in both atmospheric and underwater environments.
  • Chloride-Rich Environments: Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments, such as seawater and brines.

Higher Strength-to-Weight Ratio

  • High Mechanical Strength: Duplex stainless steel castings offer high tensile and yield strength, making them ideal for applications where weight reduction is critical.
  • Lightweight Design: The high strength-to-weight ratio allows for the design of lighter and more efficient components.

Економічно для великих виробничих пробіжок

  • Efficient Production: Casting processes enable the efficient production of large volumes of parts with complex shapes at a lower cost compared to other manufacturing methods.
  • Reduced Machining: The ability to produce near-net shapes reduces the need for extensive machining, saving time and material.

Підвищена міцність

  • Long-Term Performance: Due to its high strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking, duplex stainless steel is ideal for critical, long-lasting applications in harsh environments.

6. Challenges in Duplex Stainless Steel Casting

Casting Defects

  • Porosity and Shrinkage: These defects can affect the quality and integrity of the castings.
  • Inclusions: Foreign particles or impurities can weaken the material and reduce its performance.

Welding and Fabrication Issues

  • Special Procedures: Welding duplex stainless steel may require special procedures and filler materials to avoid compromising its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
  • Термічна обробка: Post-weld heat treatment may be necessary to optimize the microstructure and properties of the welded joints.

Complexity in Production

  • Precise Control: Managing the balance between the ferritic and austenitic phases during casting requires precise control over casting parameters such as temperature and cooling rate.
  • Забезпечення якості: Rigorous quality control measures are essential to ensure that the final product meets the required specifications and performance standards.

7. Duplex stainless steel vs Super Duplex stainless steel

Duplex Stainless Steel і Super Duplex Stainless Steel are different alloys, although they share some similarities.

Both are designed with a dual-phase microstructure, consisting of a mix of austenitic і ferritic phases, which gives them excellent mechanical properties and high resistance to corrosion.

Однак, they differ in their composition, виконання, and suitable applications.

Означати Duplex Stainless Steel Super Duplex Stainless Steel
Phase Composition Roughly 50% austenite and 50% ferrite Приблизно 40-50% austenite and 50-60% ferrite
Alloying Elements Contains less molybdenum and chromium than super duplex Higher levels of chromium, молібден, and nitrogen
Корозійна стійкість Good resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, especially in chloride environments Superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in more aggressive environments
Сила на розрив Generally lower than super duplex Higher tensile strength due to the addition of more alloying elements
Похідна сила Around 450 MPA Around 550-720 MPA, higher yield strength
Заявки Suitable for marine, хімічний, and food industries Used in more aggressive environments like offshore oil and gas platforms, desalination plants, and chemical processing
Вартість Less expensive compared to super duplex More expensive due to higher alloy content

Super Duplex Stainless Steel

Super duplex stainless steel, наприклад Сорт 2507, contains higher levels of хром, молібден, і nitrogen compared to duplex stainless steel.

These additional elements improve its resistance to extreme environments, particularly in highly corrosive and high-pressure applications.

Super duplex steels offer superior corrosion resistance, especially in environments containing chloride and acidic substances.

They are used in more demanding industries such as offshore oil and gas platforms, desalination plants, and chemical reactors, where harsh conditions require a stronger, more corrosion-resistant material.

Super Duplex Stainless Steel Valves
Super Duplex Stainless Steel Valves

8. Висновок

Дуплекс stainless steel casting provides a robust solution for industries that require materials with superior mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance, і довговічність.

Its unique combination of austenitic and ferritic phases offers numerous advantages, including enhanced strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Understanding the casting process, advantages, and applications of duplex stainless steel will help ensure the right material is selected for your next project, maximizing both performance and cost-efficiency.

If you have any Duplex Stainless Steel processing needs, please feel free to Зв’яжіться з нами.

 

Additional Content

Key Alloying Elements in Duplex Stainless Steel

Chromium

To form a stable chromium oxide passive film that protects against atmospheric corrosion, steel must contain at least 10.5% хром. Increasing chromium content enhances the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.

Chromium promotes the formation of body-centered cubic (BCC) ferrite, a ferrite-forming element. Higher chromium levels require more nickel to achieve austenite or duplex (ferrite-austenite) structures.

High chromium content also encourages the formation of intermetallic phases. Austenitic stainless steels typically have at least 16% хром, while duplex stainless steels have at least 20%.

Chromium also improves high-temperature oxidation resistance, crucial for forming and removing oxide scales or temper colors after heat treatment or welding.

Pickling and removing temper colors are more challenging for duplex stainless steel compared to austenitic stainless steel.

Молібден

Molybdenum significantly enhances pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in stainless steel. In chloride environments, molybdenum is three times more effective than chromium when the steel contains at least 18% хром.

Молібден, a ferrite-forming element, also increases the tendency to form intermetallic phases.

Отже, austenitic stainless steels usually contain less than 7.5% молібден, while duplex stainless steels contain less than 4%.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen boosts the pitting and crevice corrosion resistance of austenitic and duplex stainless steels and significantly increases their strength.

It is the most effective solid-solution strengthening element and a low-cost alloying element.

The improved toughness of nitrogen-containing duplex stainless steel results from higher austenite content and reduced intermetallic phase formation.

Although nitrogen does not prevent intermetallic phase precipitation, it delays it, allowing sufficient time for processing and fabrication.

Nitrogen is added to high-corrosion-resistant austenitic and duplex stainless steels with high chromium and molybdenum content to counteract the tendency to form σ phase.

Nitrogen, a strong austenite-forming element, can replace some nickel in austenitic stainless steels.

It reduces stacking fault energy and increases the work-hardening rate of austenite.
It also enhances austenite strength through solid-solution strengthening.

Duplex stainless steels typically contain nitrogen and have their nickel content adjusted to achieve the appropriate phase balance.

Balancing ferrite-forming elements (chromium and molybdenum) with austenite-forming elements (nickel and nitrogen) is essential for achieving a duplex structure.

Нікель

Nickel stabilizes austenite, promoting the transformation of the crystal structure from body-centered cubic (BCC) ferrite to face-centered cubic (FCC) austenite.

Ferritic stainless steels contain little to no nickel, while duplex stainless steels have a low to moderate nickel content, типово 1.5% до 7%.

Austenitic stainless steels in the 300 series contain at least 6% нікель.

Adding nickel delays the formation of harmful intermetallic phases in austenitic stainless steels, though this effect is less significant in duplex stainless steels compared to nitrogen.

The face-centered cubic (FCC) structure gives austenitic stainless steel excellent toughness.

Since nearly half of the structure in duplex stainless steel is austenite, duplex steel is significantly tougher than ferritic stainless steel.

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