What is Zeron 100?

Following the invention of super duplex stainless steels in 1967 by Langley Alloys with our Ferralium 255, Zeron 100 was an alternative grade developed in the 1980’s by Mather & Platt.

About Mather & Platt

Mather & Platt was a UK-based company, hailing from Manchester, focused on the manufacture of large-scale centrifugal pumps. The use of super duplex stainless steels for such applications was obvious, given the potentially aggressive solutions being handled, requiring significant corrosion resistance, strength and wear resistance. Hence, the team at Mather & Platt sought to optimise ease of casting and long-term performance of their pump bodies.  The pump division of Mather & Platt was subsequently acquired by Weir Pumps, although the Manchester site and foundry closed. The Zeron 100 trademark is now held by Rolled Alloys Inc.

Qualities of Zeron 100

Zeron 100 was primarily developed with resistance to seawater corrosion in mind – for applications in the North Sea, as offshore oil and gas exploration boomed in the 1970’s.  Firstly as a cast product for pump bodies, it was subsequently developed in wrought forms i.e. solid bars, plates to support machined and fabricated components.

This particular grade is more widely referred to as Alloy 32760 (UNS S32760, 1.4501, F55). It utilises the 25% chromium content of other super duplex stainless steels, but also includes a deliberate addition of tungsten, claimed to selectively improve corrosion resistance. The addition of 0.5-1.0% of tungsten sets it apart from many other stainless steel grades. The formula for the ‘pitting resistance equivalent number’ (PREN) also includes a modified version that accounts for the tungsten content in an alloy, sometimes referred to as PREN+W or PREN(W), with the calculation changing from PREN = Cr + 3.3Mo + 16N to PREN = Cr + 3.3(Mo +0.5W) + 16N, although the difference in PREN number is relatively modest.

Applications of Zeron 100

Common applications involve the handling of seawater – in an oil and gas context this will include process, seawater, firewater and subsea pipework systems, alongside valves, heat exchangers and pipe fittings. Other applications include flue gas desulfurisation equipment (FGD), pulp and paper, chemical, desalination, mining and subsea equipment. Fasteners is an incredibly popular application for smaller diameter solid bars in this grade, and one that Langley Alloys supports through our comprehensive stock profile.

Zeron 100 is claimed to provide strong resistance to sulphuric acid, which helps to unlock many applications in the chemical process industry. This can be associated with the tungsten addition, in the same way that copper additions in Ferralium 255 are known to enhance performance in this environment too.

Langley Alloys stocks Alloy 32760 from 1/2″ to 16″ diameter in solid bars, plus plate up to 2 1/2″ thickness.

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