. . . in demand. Connectivity has never been more in demand. Where once we used our phones or computers to make calls or send emails, now we’re streaming entertainment, attending virtual classrooms and hosting video conferences. All of this means that the greatest challenge faced by today’s telecoms industry is not just coverage, but capacity too. Duplex Stainless Steel (Austenitic – Ferritic) The duplex stainless steel consist of a microstructure of about 50% ferrite and 50% austenite. They were developed to provide a higher strength, corrosion resistant alternative to the 300 series austenitic stainless steel.
Compositions are modified to favour the high ferrite levels by increasing the chromium to 22-26%, increasing molybdenum to 2-5%, decreasing the nickel to 4-8% and adding copper up to 2%. These compositions provide excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Due to the high yield strength of duplex stainless steel the plate thickness can be reduced considerably in comparison to austenitic stainless steel. Weight savings can be up to 25%, however, the main reason for the increased use of duplex is that the resistance against pitting corrosion is superb compared to austenitic stainless steel. Duplex stainless steel is used for applications such as tanks, cargo loading pip.