The duplex stainless steels (SS) have an excellent combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, realizing these desirable properties in pressure vessels is a challenge because of their complicated physical metallurgy. Cooling rates from high temperatures must be controlled, and heating for any length of time at intermediate temperatures must be avoided. Plate manufacturing and fabrication problems with two duplex SS pressure vessels did cause a significant delay on one project. Several other fabrication related problems are described. Once installed, the duplex SS pressure vessels have performed very well. There have been a few rapid corrosion failures; none of these were attributed to duplex SS fabrication practices. On the longer term corrosion failures, no work has been done to confirm the absence of fabrication related problems. There have not been any mechanical failures. The availability of a few key engineering properties in the duplex SS marketplace is discussed. Finally, company material and fabrication requirements for duplex SS are described.

Subject
Pressure vessels, Costs, Materials, Manufacturing, Microstructure, Reactors, Welding, Corrosion testing, Mechanical properties, Towers, Corrosion resistance, Hardness, Toughness
Keywords:
duplex stainless steel, fabrication, welding, fracture toughness, chemical process industry, chloride SCC
© 1994 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1994
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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