Ferralium® 255-SD50 is used in the central sleeve of Ocean Yacht Systems' furler rod-to-rod assembly, where its exceptional strength allows a compact design while resisting seawater corrosion.
Ocean Yacht Systems is a leading supplier to the superyacht and high-performance yachting market, with a reputation for high-quality rigging, thruster and hydraulic systems on hundreds of high-profile vessels. It specialises in custom design and manufacture, using the latest materials for leading-edge solutions.
The material challenge
Speed, reliability and safety at sea place heavy demands on material selection, particularly when high-performance yachts operate at the extremes. Stainless steel has been widely used in these applications for many years to combat corrosion, but crevice corrosion remains an issue around washers, gaskets, joints and fixing points. Standard grades of stainless steel also typically offer only half the strength of carbon steels.
Super duplex steels offer a two-pronged advantage. With a pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) exceeding 40, they resist pitting and general corrosion far better. And Ferralium® 255-SD50 also offers the highest available proof stress of any super duplex stainless steel.
The application
Ferralium® 255-SD50 is used in the central sleeve of the furler rod-to-rod assembly (FRTRA). This component connects the front sail of a yacht and lets it roll around the main headstay when not in use, from where it can be unfurled when required. The FRTRA must fit within the headstay unit, so it is designed with a limit to the maximum outside diameter. Ferralium® 255-SD50 was specified because its additional strength, compared with other super duplex stainless steels, let it meet this demanding size constraint.
