Power generation exposes materials to high temperatures, steam, aggressive cooling waters and emissions-control chemistry, often with long intervals between maintenance shutdowns. Langley Alloys supplies nickel alloys and duplex and super duplex stainless grades across turbine, nuclear, emissions-control and cooling-water applications.
Gas and steam turbines
Alloy 718 is used for turbine components, heat exchangers and fasteners in power generation, where high strength must be retained across a wide temperature range. Its resistance to stress corrosion cracking and stable properties at temperature make it a long-established choice for rotating and high-load turbine hardware.
Nuclear power
Nuclear generation and fuel handling place exceptional demands on corrosion resistance and integrity. Alloy 718 is used for nuclear power plant containment vessels and valves. Alloy 625 is used for reactor core and control rod components, drawing on its corrosion and fatigue resistance in severe environments. Alloy 825 is used in nuclear reprocessing and handling, as well as waste heat recovery exchangers.
Emissions control and flue gas desulphurisation
Removing sulphur dioxide from power-station exhaust gases creates one of the most corrosive environments in the plant. Duplex and super duplex stainless steels are widely specified here: Alloy 2205 and Alloy 32760 are both used in pollution control and flue gas desulphurisation systems, combining corrosion resistance with the higher strength that allows thinner, lighter sections. Alloy 825 is used in wet scrubbers and pollution control systems. For a detailed treatment of scrubber chemistry and material selection, see the flue gas desulphurisation sector guide.
Cooling water and seawater systems
Coastal and estuary power stations draw large volumes of cooling water, frequently seawater. The super duplex and duplex grades resist the pitting and crevice corrosion that this causes, with Alloy 32760 used in seawater cooling plant and the wider super duplex range suited to pumps, valves and pipework in aggressive cooling-water service.