Outokumpu showcased latest duplex stainless steel innovations in Beijing, China
Against a backdrop of increasing popularity for duplex grades in China, the 5th China International Duplex Stainless Steel Congress took place in Beijing on November 26-27. It allowed duplex producers and industry experts to meet with designers, manufacturers, and end users to exchange news and ideas. The congress was hosted by Outokumpu, the Stainless Steel Council of China Special Steel Enterprises Association, and Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group.
Growing duplex demand
Poul-Erik Arnvig, Vice President Business Development for Outokumpu, opened the congress by reflecting on the continued increasing usage of duplex.
“Duplex has for the last couple of decades shown the highest growth rate amongst stainless steels and is predicted to continue the growth at a faster rate than the stainless steel demand in general on a global level,” he noted.
Arnvig highlighted the benefits that make duplex stainless steel so versatile, including its high strength and corrosion resistance. Through the newest innovations, duplex stainless steels have become formable and offer superior resistance to specialized chemical media.
Formable Forta FDX
Erik Schedin from Outokumpu’s Avesta Research Center presented on the latest formable Forta FDX grades.
“Outokumpu Forta FDX grades provide a clever solution to the limited formability of existing duplex grades,” said Schedin. “Combining the high durability, corrosion resistance and price-stable alloying of duplex grades, FDX further offers the fluent formability of standard austenitic grades.”
Schedin also elaborated on enhanced structural efficiency with duplex stainless steel in pressure vessels, which may be thinner and lighter, and have a longer life cycle.
Durable solutions for civil engineering
Duplex has also provided an alternative solution for civil engineering projects with long life cycles. Anders Finnås, Business Development Manager of Outokumpu, shared insights on duplex solutions in civil engineering applications, noting: “Duplex stainless steel is a sustainable and cost effective material for structural components. It has significantly better resistance to stress corrosion cracking compared with traditional austenitic stainless steels.”
Outokumpu invented the first two duplex stainless steel grades 85 years ago. The duplex family is now used in almost every industry and application segment including building and construction; transport of chemicals; and the energy, environmental cleaning, oil and gas, and chemical industries.
Published déc. 10, 2015