[ Duplex ]
[ Duplex ]
Expert Impressions:
Rodney Rice, Langley Alloys“ After a vibrant 2023-4, associated with favourable market conditions post-Covid, market demand returned to more normal levels. By all reports, mostly anecdotal, there is a general view of improving demand through the tail end of 2026.”“ The impact of USA tariffs cannot be overlooked. As most duplex stainless steel manufacturers are in Europe or further afield, import tariffs of up to 50 % cause disruption to the local market. The obvious benefit of duplex grades is their cost effectiveness against other alloys. Hence whilst the 50 % tariff is not enough to convert specifications away from these grades, it is high enough to encourage activity to move outside of the USA.”
tests on S32001 duplex stainless steel under elevated- and post-fire conditions viii whilst groups elsewhere considered the effect of sigma phase of 2507 duplex stainless steel on hydrogen-induced pitting corrosion ix as well as phase-separation strengthening and stress-relieving heat treatment of duplex stainless steels x. Another team in China records the successful development of an ultrastrong and ductile duplex lightweight steel with dual-nanoprecipitation xi. The alloy was reported to have excellent strength and ductility and good work-hardening capability.
Other recent papers from China considered the microstructural characteristics and tensile behaviour of vacuum-fusion-welded joints in 2507 duplex stainless-steel pipes xii as well as the influence of wire arc additive manufacturing parameters on the morphology, microstructure, and hardness of 2209 single-bead deposited layers xiii. Close by, a team in South Korea applied aging treatment to thick hot-rolled duplex lightweight steel plates in a bid to simultaneously improve strength and impact toughness at low temperatures xiv. In South America, a Brazilian group
researched the effect of postweld heat treatment on laser-welded duplex stainless steel xv. They conclude that simply rebalancing phase fractions after welding is insufficient to restore duplex’ s original mechanical performance. A comprehensive understanding of phase morphology, grain OR, and precipitation behaviour is crucial for designing welding and posttreatment procedures that ensure optimal fatigue resistance. Others in Brazil published on reverted austenite formation in a cryorolled lean duplex stainless steel xvi, whilst a failure analysis of a 2205 duplex stainless steel tube affected by localized corrosion in a black liquor heat exchanger was the focus for fellow researchers in Chile xvii. Amongst others, they concluded that the
About the Author
A freelance editor, David Sear has been fascinated by the flow control sector for over three decades. Suggestions, comments and critique are expressly welcomed and can be addressed to: info @ teservices. nl.