What is austenitic stainless steel?
The most well-known grades of stainless steel are the austenitic stainless steel grades 304 and 316. An austenitic stainless steel is so-called because of the crystal structure the atoms take when the composition and thermal processing conditions allow. The austenite crystal structure is also described as face centred cubic (FCC) and defines many of the mechanical and physical properties of the stainless steel.
View full articleWhat is Inconel?
Inconel is a family of high-performance nickel-based alloys developed by Special Metals Corporation. It is one of the most widely recognised trademarks in the industry, associated with the original development of 18 different alloys.
View full articleWhat is galling?
Galling is when two metal surfaces join unintentionally, caused by micro-welding across their surfaces at localised points of contact. This phenomenon is influenced by the surface condition (roughness), type of metal, environment, temperature and load exerted on the surface. Galling typically refers to the damage that occurs when breaking the items apart, with a tearing […]
View full articleWhat is Alloy 904L?
Alloy 904L is a more highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel, based upon 20% chromium and 25% nickel content. It was developed for use in applications containing dilute sulphuric acid. The substantial nickel content means that Alloy 904L is a lot more expensive than regular stainless steels. Therefore, it has seen some substitution from more cost-effective super duplex stainless steels (SDSS).
View full articleShould I choose Annealed, Hot Rolled or Strain Hardened Condition of Nitronic 50?
Nitronic 50 is a higher-performance austenitic stainless steel that provides approximately twice the yield strength of regular 3xx series stainless steels and improved corrosion performance. It is widely used in a variety of marine and industrial applications. This alloy is available in several conditions, Solution Annealed, Hot Rolled or Strain Hardened.
View full articleWhat is duplex steel?
A duplex steel is one that has a mixture of two different metallurgical phases within its microstructure. Although many different grades of steel possess two or more different phases, the term duplex is used almost exclusively for a family of stainless steels that combine austenitic and ferritic phases.
View full articleProperties of Inconel 625
Inconel 625 (Alloy 625, UNS N06625, 2.4856) is a nickel-based alloy that provides good levels of strength and excellent corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. Its composition is predominantly nickel (58% min.), with additions of chromium, then lesser amounts of molybdenum, niobium, iron, tantalum, cobalt, and trace amounts of manganese, silicon, aluminium, and titanium. Inconel 625 […]
View full articleMetals for Thermowells
A thermowell is a fitting designed to protect sensors when they are installed in aggressive environments in industrial applications. The thermowell will protect the sensor from impact, corrosion, oxidation, pressure and general damage. The most common designs of thermowell are sized to fit thermometers, thermocouples or resistance temperature detectors. The process fluid transfers heat to the […]
View full articleHigh Strength Copper Alloys
Copper has many desirable physical properties, such as excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, plus strong corrosion resistance in marine and selected chemical environments. In its unalloyed form, mechanical properties are not particularly high. However, it is readily alloyed with numerous other metals to greatly improve the level of strength achievable. Nickel and copper can be […]
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