Duplex stainless steels are called “duplex” because they have a two-phase microstructure consisting of grains of ferritic and austenitic stainless steel. When duplex stainless steel is melted it solidifies from the liquid phase to a completely ferritic structure. As the material cools to room temperature, about half of the ferritic grains transform to austenitic grains (“islands”). The result is a microstructure of roughly 50% austenite and 50% ferrite. Duplex stainless steels are about twice as strong as regular austenitic or ferritic stainless steels.

Characteristics of Duplex:

• Extremely Corrosion resistant

• High resistance to intergranular corrosion.

• Very high resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Applications of Duplex:

• Chemical processing, transport and storage

• Oil and gas exploration and offshore rigs

• Oil and gas refining

• Marine environments

• Pollution control equipment

• Pulp & paper manufacturing

• Chemical process plant