What Are Duplex Steel Pipes? A Beginner’s Guide

Duplex Steel Pipes have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are highly durable, strong and corrosion resistant, and that is why they are an ideal product to use in many applications in the oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries. If you are considering using duplex steel pipes for your project, you should know some key things. In this blog post, we will cover everything that you need to know about duplex steel pipes.

What is Duplex Steel?

Duplex steel is an alloy of ferrous metal with around 50% iron content. It is also referred to as austenitic-ferritic stainless steel and it is high in strength, resistant to corrosion, good weldability and forms well. In addition to these features, duplex steel is tough even at cryogenic temperatures. It is able to retain its mechanical properties in both acidic and alkaline conditions to a temperature of 700°C. This qualifies it to be used as an ideal heat exchanger material in industry like heat exchangers, tanks and pipes in the chemical processing industry.

Why Use Duplex Steel Pipes?

Duplex steel pipes offer numerous advantages over other types of pipes. Their strength to weight ratio is very high hence being used in offshore applications where weight is a factor. They are also resistant to corrosion hence are very suitable in corrosive conditions like chemical plants and oil refineries. Duplex pipes offer a variety of advantages over other materials, making them a popular choice for many industries. They are better resistant to corrosion and hence they can work in salty, acidic and caustic conditions where other metals cannot. They also have a high resistance to cracking and pitting as well as maintain a high level of strength even in cryogenic temperatures.

Moreover, they have good mechanical characteristics, high flexibility and toughness that are used to minimize fatigue in dynamically loaded structures such as shafts or housings. Their good welding also increases the fabrication properties of the material. All these advantages make it a perfect option to a variety of applications, e.g. oil and gas pipelines, water treatment systems, process piping networks etc.

In addition, duplex steel pipes have excellent fatigue resistance, meaning they can withstand repeated stress without cracking or breaking. This combined with the fact that they are resistant to corrosion makes them a perfect candidate in high pressure applications.

Types of Duplex Steel

There are several different types of duplex steel, each with unique properties and characteristics. The most common types of duplex steel used in pipes and other equipment include SAF 2205, SAF 2507, and Zeron 100.

SAF 2205 is the most popular type of duplex steel, known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength. SAF 2507, also known as super duplex steel, has even higher strength and corrosion resistance levels than SAF 2205, making it ideal for use in harsh environments. Zeron 100 is a highly corrosion-resistant type of duplex steel often used in the chemical and petrochemical industries.

Applications of Duplex Steel Pipes

Duplex steel pipes are used in various applications across various industries. They are generally applied in oil and gas mining and chemical, petrochemical, and food processing. They also find application in the sea like in offshore drilling platforms and ships. Duplex pipes are known for their excellent durability and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for various applications. Some of its common applications are plumbing, offshore oil drills, equipment used in chemical manufacturing, heat exchangers and condensers in petrochemical plants, and electricity generation turbines. They also have better strength properties because they have fewer carbon contents as compared to other steels and this allows them to have a thinner wall in such applications. The high level of their weldability gives more freedom on what could be designed to the engineers at the expense of long-term structural integrity.

In addition, duplex steel pipes produce heat exchangers, which transfer heat between fluids in various industrial applications. They also have the ability to manufacture pressure vessels, pumps and valves.

The Bottom Line

Duplex Steel Pipes are an excellent choice for a wide range of applications due to their high strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. It is a long-lasting form of steel that can be used in the form of tubing and piping because it is a combination of both austenitic and ferritic steel. Knowing what duplex steel is, its benefits, the different types available, and the various applications it can be used in will enable you to make informed decisions when you decide to use it in your project. Be sure to hire experts who can help you select the right type of duplex steel for your project and give you expert advice on maintaining it for longevity.

With a team of skilled experts and a commitment to delivering premium-quality duplex steel piping systems, USA Piping Solutions can guide you through the selection process and provide customized solutions tailored to your project needs. Partner with USA Piping Solutions to ensure reliability, compliance, and long-term value in every installation.