Applications of Duplex Stainless Pipes

Duplex Stainless steel- Description and Overview

Duplex stainless steel grades have a unique “dual-phase microstructure”. It contains both ferritic and austenitic properties and features. Both the microstructures are present in a proportionate 50-50 quantity. This variant of Stainless Steel alloy comes with an endless number of benefits and properties. Duplex Stainless Steel has incredible strength,  great toughness, excellent corrosion resistance including chloride, pitting, crevice, and stress corrosion resistance.

Often the applications of Austenitic grades such ass 316 and 316L can be swapped for Duplex SS grades.

However, not all applications that call for Duplex Graded stainless steel Pipes can be settled with Austenitic i.e., grade 316 SS pipes.

Let us have a look at applications that exclusively demand the use of Duplex Grade Stainless Steel Pipes and tubes

• Marine Engineering and Coastal Bridges:

Components and types of equipment used in the construction of coastal bridges and structures are continuously exposed to harmful chemicals, salty environments, abrasion, and high temperatures. Additionally, these components are exposed to harmful UV rays. Thus, regular SS pipes cannot withstand these harsh environments. Continuous exposure to harmful environments in extreme temperatures can lead to pitting and crevice corrosion. Thus, the best piping material to be used for applications in the marine engineering sector is Duplex Stainless steel. Its austenitic microstructure with the help of chromium and molybdenum easily fights off and resists harmful environments.

• Extraction of Oil:

Components and pieces of equipment used to extract oil are inserted under the sea and below ground level where they are directly exposed to H2S, chlorine, and Carbon Dioxide. These chemicals can instantly corrode and harm the piping material. However, the discovery of Duplex Stainless Steel pipes has been a blessing to this sector. Duplex pipes are used to build devices such as heat exchangers, centrifugal separators, gas pipelines, injection devices, etc.

Ferralium Duplex SS is the best grade of Duplex pipes to use for oil and gas extraction as it contains an added amount of copper which enhances its strength and corrosion-resistant properties.

• Desalination Plants:

Pieces of equipment and components used at seawater desalination plants are exposed to a high concentration of chloride ions. Chloride ions can cause severe crevice, pitting, and stress corrosion. Using Duplex SS pipes averts all of these issues as it is capable of resisting chloride ion causing corrosion for sustained periods.