MIG and Flux Cored.
Welding Duplex.

Don't forget we also have a Stainless Section.

From Avesta: Stainless steel evaporators
at Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner, Piteå.

 

In modern pulp and paper mills, nearly all key equipment (digesters, bleaching systems, evaporators, storage tanks and paper machines) are made from various types of stainless steels. Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes of stainless steel go into a large new pulp and paper mill. On top of that, there is piping, welding consumables and auxiliary equipment. The materials used are standard austenitic, duplex and high-alloy super-austenitic stainless steels.

Currently, the high price of the alloying elements in the raw materials is one of the reasons why manufacturers serving the pulp and paper industry are showing increased interest in duplex steels. However, the most important factor is that, even though the nickel and molybdenum content is generally low, duplex steels have very good properties. “Previously, so-called ‘acid-resistant’ steels were used when the sulphite process (an acid process) was used in cooking paper pulp. Now that the industry is increasingly switching to sulphate or other alkaline solutions, such steels are no longer optimal,” says Lena Wegrelius.


Stress corrosion presents the greatest risk in alkaline cooking and stainless steels with a high chromium content, low molybdenum content and duplex microstructure are optimal for these environments. Furthermore, the strength of duplex steels is "twice" that of standard steels. Consequently this allows pressure vessels to be built with thinner walls. Duplex steels are more cost-efficient austenitic steels.


Duplex stainless steel are becoming ever more popular with equipment manufacturers. Avesta has a new duplex grade, LDX 2101®, which is excellent for the paper industry. However, its a fact that the choice of materials when building new plants or machinery is not determined solely by what is best for the application. For example, in Latin America, mills are favoring their own local producers and these producers do not always manufacture duplex steel. In those cases, standard materials are being used. Its believed that Chinese manufacturers will soon be producing duplex steels themselves.

Failure of a super duplex stainless steel reaction vessel V. M. LintonCorresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, a, N. J. Laycockb, S. J. Thomsenb and A. Klumpersb a University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, South, Australia b Materials Performance Technologies, Industrial Research Ltd, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Received 1 July 2002; Available online 18 November 2003. Abstract Crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) were recently discovered in a vessel used to strip vinyl chloride monomer from a water-based slurry of PVC granules. The vessel was manufactured from UNS S32750 super duplex stainless steel and the welds were produced using matching welding consumables. Although localised corrosion might have been expected, the occurrence of SCC was inconsistent with the majority of the published literature: in particular, the nominal operating temperature should have been too low for chloride-induced SCC of super-duplex stainless steel. However, damage was found mainly in the vicinity of the circumferential and longitudinal welds, and part of the subsequent failure investigation was therefore focused on the possibility of poor weld quality being the cause of failure. This task was approached primarily by measuring the influence of welding parameters on the value of the critical pitting temperature (CPT), and attempting to correlate the results with observed changes in the weld microstructure. CPT values were determined by a potentiodynamic method, using samples cut from the failed vessel and from a range of reference welds manufactured using known welding parameters.

 

 

At Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner, Piteå, both the peroxide reactor and the oxygen reactor, behind it, are manufactured from 2205 duplex stainless steel.

 

From Avesta: The commercial development of stainless steel occurred side by side with that of the modern pulp and paper industry. This was a phenomenon of 1940’s northern Europe. The unique collaborations between engineering companies (developers of new and more efficient pulp and paper processes) and steel mills have led to unsurpassed expertise in stainless steels for various pulp and paper applications. They have also led to the development of new steel grades such as 254 SMO® and LDX 2101®. To test how its steel grades stand up to various environments, Outokumpu has a number of research and development collaborations with mills, machine builders, research institutes and engineering companies. Amongst other projects, Lena Wegrelius mentions that with an inspection company, Inspecta. In this, field tests are being run in digester and evaporator environments at the Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner pulp and paper mill in Piteå. “We are also working with Chempolis Oy in Finland. The latter company is looking at processes for cooking pulp from raw materials other than wood. This is of future interest for the Asian market,” she declares. In China, for example, trials are being conducted with the common reed and residual products from arable and rice farming. New processes and steel grades may be necessary here. What else can be said about developments in pulp and paper? “For environmental reasons, the industry is using more and more recycled paper in its raw materials. It is often said that fibres can be used seven times before they are finished. Recycling processes are thus becoming increasingly more important in pulp production,” concludes Lena Wegrelius.

AVESTA NEW DUPLEX FLUX CORED WIRE: Avesta FCW-2D LDX 2101There is now a new and improved version of Avesta Welding’s flux cored wire for welding Outokumpu’s new duplex steel, the LDX 2101®.Avesta FCW-2D LDX 2101 gives a duplex weld metal that combines excellent mechanical properties with good corrosion resistance. In both the flat and the horizontal-vertical (PC) positions, weldability is very good Positive direct current (DC+) is used for welding flux cored wires. Compared with MIG welding, the flux cored wire parameter range is considerably wider. Avesta FCW-2D is an 0.045 1.2 mm wire supplied in a layer wound on 15-kilo wire basket spools. Avesta Welding’s range of filler metals for welding LDX 2101® also includes covered electrodes and solid MIG, TIG and SAW wires.

AVESTA 2304
For welding storage tanks, recovery boiler pipes, oxygen reactors, etc. in duplex stainless steel 2304 (EN 1.4362, Outokumpu 2304). Avesta Welding is the first supplier in the
world able to offer a complete range of matching filler metals for this duplex grade. The range comprises covered electrodes, flux cored wires and solid wires (MIG/TIG/SAW).

AVESTA 2205
For welding batch and continuous digesters, oxygen delignification and pressurized peroxide reactors, press washers, pulp towers and filters, etc. made of 2205 duplex stainless
steel (EN 1.4462, Outokumpu 2205). Giving excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, Avesta 2205 has a long record of success in these applications.

AVESTA 2507/P100
For welding super duplex 2507 (EN 1.4410, Outokumpu SAF 2507) and similar grades. Avesta’s 2507/P100 range of highly alloyed super duplex consumables provides better
strength and corrosion resistance than ordinary duplex fillers.

AVESTA LDX 2101
Specially designed for welding Outokumpu LDX 2101 (EN 1.4162), the new high-strength low-alloy duplex stainless steel. Thanks to its superior strength and good corrosion resistance in alkaline environments, this cost-efficient material is a maintenance-free option for railings, walkways, storage tanks and even hydrogen peroxide reactors in pulp bleaching.
With Avesta LDX 2101, it is easy to achieve a sound weld that, as regards corrosion resistance and mechanical properties,
“matches” the parent metal.

130 ton Brazilian urea reactor.

Jaraguá of Brazil manufactured and delivered a complete urea reactor to Petrobras/FAFEN in Camaçari (Brazil), all the stainless steel plates and welding consumables came from, respectively, Outokumpu and Avesta Welding in Sweden. The reactor, which was the first to be produced in South America, weighs 130 tonnes. Besides conventional non-destructive testing, the reactor was subjected to helium leakage tests and positive material identification (PMI). Furthermore, all stainless steel (welded joints included therein) were corrosion tested as per ASTM A262’s “practice C” (Huey test). The special technique developed to measure the gap between shell and lining (maximum permitted limit of 3.0 mm) is worthy of individual highlighting. Compared with other assignments, one of the greatest differences for Jaraguá was that, to guarantee perfect handling and cleaning of the stainless steel, manufacture of the reactor was kept entirely separate from other production.

Realisation and testing was in accordance with ASME Code Section IX. In addition, test coupons for the qualification of welding procedures were tested as follows:

Article From Avesta.

Note from Ed This company and Sanvik are an excellent source for duplex info.

High productivity welding of the new lean duplex stainless steel,
LDX 2101® (S32101)

With their strengthening in the mid 1980's, duplex steels increasingly provided an alternative to conventional austenitic steels. They were then predominantly used for chemical tankers as well as process vessels and storage tanks in the pulp and paper industry. It is the good combination of strength and corrosion resistance that makes duplex stainless steels so attractive. However, in the beginning, the duplex grades were primarily seen as alternatives to high-performance austenitic grades (e.g. 904L and 254 SMO®) rather than as alternatives to conventional grades (e.g. 304 and 316). This limited their use in general construction. Here, high strength is needed rather than high corrosion resistance. Developed by Outokumpu Stainless, LDX 2101®, the new "lean" duplex stainless steel, is now used in a very wide range of applications.

General purpose and structural applications are just two examples. The high strength and good corrosion resistance of LDX 2101® also make it extremely suitable for a variety of
storage tanks. This article focuses on examining how high productivity welding methods using Avesta LDX 2101, can be optimised to maximise the good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of duplex LDX 2101 stainless steel. Strength and corrosion resistance Of the duplex grades currently on the market, LDX 2101® has the "least alloyed" chemical composition with a nickel content of just 1.5% (balanced with 5% manganese and some 0.22% nitrogen), LDX 2101 offers high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance at an advantageous price. Nickel is an expensive metal. Furthermore, its price fluctuates widely over time. This can present major difficulties when estimating the total cost of a construction.The chemical composition of LDX 2101 is balanced to give a microstructure with approximately equal amounts of ferrite and austenite. Thanks to the high nitrogen content, austenite re-formation after welding is rapid. In general, corrosion properties are as good as, or better than, those of the Cr-Ni grade EN 1.4301/ AISI 304. Furthermore, the steel's duplex structure and high nitrogen content result in a mechanical strength almost twice that of ordinary, austenitic steels.

The high strength of LDX 2101 steel can be used to optimise the design of various storage tanks. On top of this, the steel's cost efficiency can be fully exploited by selecting the correct filler (Avesta LDX 2101) and welding method.Better properties with matching filler metals Because it is optimised to ensure the best welding characteristics and mechanical properties, the matching Avesta LDX 2101 filler should be used to weld LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel. To obtain a suitable ferrite/austenite balance in the weld metal, Avesta LDX 2101 is over-alloyed with nickel.

The microstructure of metal arc welded LDX 2101 has a typical duplex appearance with 30 - 65% ferrite.Testing of LDX 2101 welds has shown that tensile strength is higher than 680 MPa / 99 ksi and that fracture most commonly occurs in the parent metal. Bending tests to 180°
with a 3 x t mandrel have shown no signs of cracking.

Duplex Welding Methods and Weldability. Excellent results are obtained when welding LDX 2101 using all conventionalmethods - SMAW, FCAW, MIG, TIG and SAW. General recommendations for the welding of storage tanks are given below.

Duplex FCAW: Widely used for all types of welding, both workshop and on-site.Suitable plate thicknesses are 5 mm (0.20") and upwards. FCAW gives high productivity in all positions. The shielding gas can be either Ar + 20 - 25% CO2 or 100% CO2. Welding is mainly in the flat and horizontal-vertical positions. FCAW is often combined with SMAW and Pulsed MIG: Especially if it can be carried out against a backing strip, or with overlap joints.

Duplex MIG, welding is an economical method that is well suited to continuous welding of small thin-walled tanks (2 - 6 mm / 0.08 - 0.23"). MIG Welding is best performed with pulsed MIG transfer. For gas selection see Ed's recommendations in the MIG gas section.

SMAW: Because of its excellent flexibility in all positions, SMAW is suitable for on-site vertical-up welding, tacking and repair welding (in all positions). Avesta LDX 2101(a rutile-acid electrode) gives a stable arc, good slag removal and, in fillet welds, a concave, smooth weld reinforcement. Note first choice, gas shielded flux cored. if wire available.

SAW: This method is mostly used for welding thick sections of sheet metals >12 mm (0.47") and upwards. To avoid excessive fusion of the parent metal, 2.4 mm (3/32") diameter wire and V, U and X-joints are recommended. A basic flux (Avesta Flux 805) should be used for welding. The root bead can advantageously be welded using another high productivity method such as MIG or FCAW. Heat input should not exceed 1.5 kJ/mm (38 kJ/inch) especially where the structure is used in a low temperature environment. Too high a degree of parent metalfusion can lower impact strength.

Another great source of Duplex
Weld Data / Electrodes is Sanvik / ESAB.

July 2008. Sandvik Materials Technology has launched a hyper duplex stainless steel tube material which is designed to improve umbilical performance in increasingly demanding subsea environments. Sandvik SAF 3207 HD is designed specifically for deepwater, high temperature, and extreme pressure applications.

Sandvik SAF 3207 HD provides a tensile strength of 980 to 1180MPa and a maximum operating temperature of up to 90C. This compares with a tensile strength of 800-1100MPa and maximum water temperature rating of 65C for the company’s standard super-duplex grade SAF 2507. SAF 2507 can be deployed in water depths greater than 2000m. However, as the pressure at the seabed increases with depth, the wall thickness of the tube eventually becomes so great that it can become uneconomical to purchase all the material required.

Duplex steels offer great mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The primary difference between austenitic stainless and duplex steels is the duplex offers a balanced microstructure of approx. equivalent volumes of both ferrite and austenite. Typically the duplex steel will have a weld ferrite content of 40 to 60% and the weld 25 to 40 % ferrite. A 25% to 50% ferrite range is desirable.

In comparison to traditional austenitic stainless, the duplex, two-phase microstructure and high chrome / Mo can result in duplex applications that have;

[a] higher resistance to stresses,
[b] higher resistance to pitting corrosion cracking,
[c] improved intergranular corrosion resistance.

Note: Be aware of too much or too little ferrite. Rapid quenching of the duplex weld as found in arc strikes or small welds on large parts should be avoided as this can result in very high ferrite content > 60%. The extra high ferrite welds can result in low toughness or low corrosion resistance.

Ferrite in duplex results in lower coefficient of thermal expansion in contrast to austenitic stainless resulting in less weld distortion potential.

The Metallurgy of Duplex Stainless Steels.

Most duplex have an alloy range of,

Cr - 22 to 26%.
Ni - 4 to 7%.
Mo - 0 to 3%.
With 0.1 to 0.3 Nitrogen, (no nitrogen will be in filler metals)

Nitrogen plays an important role of present day duplex alloys. Nitrogen is a potent austenite stabilizer. The addition of nitrogen to the duplex steel will promote structural hardening by a solid solution mechanism. The nitrogen therefore will raise both the yield strength and ultimate strengths of the duplex without impairing toughness.

Nitrogen cannot be added to the filler metal as it can not transfer across the arc. When welding nitrogen can be added to the weld through the shielding or purge gas.

See Ed's two unique gas mixes for welding Duplex in the MIG gas section.

Too much nitrogen in the gas can result in a layer of austenite on the weld surface, this can result in weld strength reduction and less resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

A loss of nitrogen from the steel or weld can lead to an increase in ferrite content and a reduction in corrosion resistance.

Duplex steels are a mix of both bcc ferrite and fcc austenite crystal structures. The percentage of each phase will be dependent on the alloy composition and heat treatment applied. The majority of duplex steels contain approx. equal amounts of ferrite and austenite phases when in the annealed condition.

Note: Don't use nitrogen or any reactive gas with TIG as it will contaminate a TIG tungsten.

Differences between Duplex and Austenitic Stainless Steels.

In contrast to austenitic 300 series stainless, duplex steels contain a much smaller nickel content and their price reflects the lower nickel content. With high chromium content, the duplex alloys provide excellent pitting and crevice corrosion resistance, and resistance to chloride stress corrosion. The two phase duplex mixture also reduce the risk of intergranular attack.

[] Duplex stainless steels are typically twice as strong as common austenitic stainless steels.

[] The thermal expansion of the duplex grades is intermediate to that of carbon steel.

[] The thermal conductivity of the duplex stainless steels is also intermediate to that of carbon steels.

[] With austenitic steels hot cracking can be a problem aggravated by fully or predominantly austenitic solidification, and by the combination of high thermal expansion and low thermal conductivity. Hot cracking is minimized by adjusting the composition of the filler metal to provide a significant ferrite content. In contrast, duplex stainless steels have good hot cracking resistance. In contrast to austenitic stainless, from a weld perspective the duplex alloys are not prone to solidification HOT cracking during welding.

[] Duplex Applications and Temperature Concern: Because of their high chrome content, duplex stainless steels are prone to the 475°C embrittlement, so duplex applications are typically restricted to application temperatures below 300°C.

[] These steels thanks to excellent mechanical properties (almost twice the strength of austenitic) will permit the use of "thinner wall thickness" while provide the corrosion resistance of Austenitic steels. The duplex alloys will ALSO provide poorer toughness than austenitic stainless steels.

Duplex provides good resistance to pitting corrosion and chloride induced stress corrosion cracking in combination with high strength and other good mechanical properties.

The Duplex Family:

To cut through the unique trade names for some duplex alloys you may wish to reference the UNS number when ordering to the standard specifications in order to get the desired grade. Many of the duplex grades have become known by a number that reflects their typical chromium and nickel contents. For example the 2205 grade will have 22% Cr and 5% Ni. These composition-based names, used by many producers, have recently been added to A 240 and are being added to the ASTM specifications for other product forms.

[a] Lean duplex: Grade 2304. UNS (S32304) contains little or no deliberate Mo addition. Corrosion resistance equivalent of 316L

[b] Common duplex: Grade 2205. UNS (S32205) accounts for vast majority of duplex use;

[c] 25 Cr duplex: Grade 255. UNS (S32550) and S31260;

[d] Superduplex: Grade 2507. UNS (S32750). Has 25-26% Cr and increased
Mo and N.

[e] Hyper Duplex: Grade 2609.

 

Chemical tankers use Large amounts
of duplex and stainless steels

The most common stainless steel used in chemical tankers is the duplex grade 2205, but type 316LN steel is sometimes also used. The duplex steel, however, has the great advantage of offering a combination of high strength and excellent corrosion resistance, which allows plate thickness to be reduced by as much as 30%.

Weld Data for Duplex.

Duplex steels weld like stainless steels, however it's very important with duplex to ensure weld personnel follow the pre-qualified weld procedure data to the smallest detail.

Keep you eye on the ferrite content: To attain a good austenite reformation in the weld heat affected zone (HAZ), present day duplex steels will have an optimum ferrite-austenite ratio of approx. 50%, while the welds will contain approx. 30 to 40% ferrite. If too much ferrite is introduced into the weld's heat affected zone, (HAZ)
(> 70% in HAZ), the HAZ would be close to fully ferritic and in contrast to the duplex weld the HAZ of the weld will produce inferior mechanical / corrosion properties.

Note: A ferrite count using a ferro scope is a popular method to measure the ferrite on the welds and HAZ.

An acceptable phase ferrite balance is typically 30 to 70%.

Rapid cooling of the molten weld or the weld's HAZ can promote an increase in ferrite. Slow cooling will promote an increase in austenite. While welding fast cooling is further increased with typical applications like welds on thick parts, small welds < 6mm on parts > 6mm, clad welds and root passes. To compensate for rapid cooling and the potential for an increase in ferrite, the weld electrodes will typically contain an additional 2 to 4% nickel to promote austenite formation.

Note: Duplex applications should not be welded without filler metal as as excess ferrite will result. If no or minimal filler metal is utilized consider a solution anneal.

 

Cold delayed cracks can happen. "Solution Reduce Weld Heat".
In the duplex weld heat affected zone, (HAZ), you can have a reduction in both the corrosion and toughness sometimes leading to post weld cracks in the HAZ area. To minimize post weld cracks, the weld procedure should reduce the time at temperature in the red hot range. To achieve this use moderate sized stringer passes rather than weaves, keep single pass fillet weld sizes at a max of 1/4 (6 mm).

Interpass. For all multipass welds use a max interpass temp of 150C. (100C) preferred.

Pre - heat, duplex steels versus preheat for traditional stainless. Duplex steels in contrast austenitic stainless can be sensitive to hydrogen while welding, this is due to the higher ferrite content in duplex alloys which typically are equal amounts of ferrite and austenite. Important Note: Hydrogen induced cracking, (HIC) with duplex alloys can occur when the ferrite exceeds > 55 FN.

With welds on austentic stainless steels, nickel based alloys, you end up with have a face centered cubic structure and a low FN ( <12 FN) that is not bothered by HIC.

So with duplex we can have concerns for HIC and with the typical 300 series, no concern for HIC. With duplex we consider preheat to reduce the potential for HIC and minimize weld porosity. With welding the common 300 series we are not concerned with HIC but should be concerned with the formation of weld porosity.

Keep in mind if you want to reduce weld porosity when welding the 300 series stainless, you would use preheat to eliminate the moisture. If using oxy- fuel for pre heat, remember that this type of flame can cause combustion (water vapors) which are added to the part and may end up in the weld.

If using oxy fuel for preheating to eliminate moisture, I would recommend you are over 250F. If using heat coils or dry heaters ensure the part is > 100F.

Good Hot Cracking Resistance from duplex welds. In contrast to many austenitic steels, duplex hot cracks should not happen. Due to the high ferrite content of the duplex steels, these steels will have good hot cracking resistance.

Less Distortion from duplex welds. Another ferrite benefit is the duplex steels will result in lower coefficient of expansion than that of austentic steels, therefore duplex steels can provide less weld distortion potential.

Beware of the duplex weld HAZ. When establishing the weld procedures always remember that duplex steels weld issues are mostly associated with problems that will occur in the weld's heat affected zone.


Attain good weld dilution with duplex. To attain a good balance of austenite and ferrite, It's important when welding to get good weld dilution with the base metals. To attain "consistent fusion" use machined edges rather than ground or plasma cut edges, as this will assist in attaining uniform weld penetration. Again beware of autogenous welds, (welds without filler metal). If autogeneous welds are made, the welded parts can be quenched annealed after welding. When autogenious welds are made consider using Ed's gas with the addition of nitrogen to compensate for the nitrogen reduction that will take place on the weld surface.

Duplex and Cleanliness: With duplex steels pay special attention to part cleanliness and to the influence of weld heat or heat treat requirements. The key to welding duplex is use "moderate weld heat" rather than low or high weld heat. MIG pulsed welds would be preferable to higher energy spray transfer. Weld using similar moderate parameters as you would for austenitic stainless.

Post Weld stress relief for duplex is not necessary as duplex steels are sensitive to short exposure temps of 300 to 1000C (600 TO 1800F). In this post temp heat range precipitation of alpha prime phase can cause loss of toughness` and corrosion resistance. Any heat treat applied to duplex should be a post heat full solution anneal typically over 1000C followed by water quenching. Annealing can restore the equilibrium phase balance and eliminate the problems associated with excessive ferrite and intermetallic phases. If the common duplex filler metals are used, an overalloyed nickel phase balance in the fully annealed weld can shift the structure toward austenite. Water quenching is essential after a final anneal, but air cooling from intermediate thermal exposures, such as in hot forming has been found to be practical and economical.

 

Filler Metals for welding Duplex:

If the filler metal selected for duplex had the dame chemistry as the duplex the weld would end up with excess ferrite and poor mechanical and corrosion properties. To reduce the ferrite the filler has more nickel to provide more austenite in the weld. If weld issues contact Sanvik.

[] SAF 2304 / UNS S32304 / C 0.03 max. / Si 0.5 / Mn 1.4 / P 0.040 max / S 0.04 max / Cr 23 / Ni 4 / N 0.1.

2304 Tensile 87-119 ksi / Yield 58 ksi / Elongation 25% min. Hardness Vickers 230. Ferrite 30 to 40%.

[] SAF 2205 / UNS S31803 / C 0.03 max. / Si <1.0 / Mn <1.0 / P 0.030 /
S 0.02 max / Cr 22 / Ni 5.5 / Mo 3.1 / N 0.18.

2205 Tensile 99-128 ksi / Yield 65 ksi / Elongation 25% min. Hardness Vickers 260. Ferrite 30 to 40%.

[] SAF 2507 / UNS S32750 / C 0.03 max. / Si <0.8 / Mn <1.2 / P 0.035
S 0.02 max / Cr 25 / Ni 7 / Mo 4 / N 0.3.

2507 Tensile 116-145 ksi / Yield 80 ksi / Elongation 25% min. Hardness Vickers 290. Ferrite 30 to 40%.

Note: Values will increase dramatically as the part thickness decreases.

[] SAF 2304. = Duplex Corrosion resistance of 316L
[] SAF 2205. = Duplex Corrosion resistance of 904L
[] SAF 2507. = Super Duplex Corrosion resistance of 6 Mo + N austenitic SS alloy.
[] SAF 2609 Hyper Duplex.

 

 

AVESTA 2304
For welding storage tanks, recovery boiler pipes, oxygen
reactors, etc. in duplex stainless steel 2304 (EN 1.4362,
Outokumpu 2304). Avesta Welding is the first supplier in the
world able to offer a complete range of matching filler metals
for this duplex grade. The range comprises covered electrodes,
flux cored wires and solid wires (MIG/TIG/SAW).

AVESTA 2205
For welding batch and continuous digesters, oxygen delignification
and pressurized peroxide reactors, press washers,
pulp towers and filters, etc. made of 2205 duplex stainless
steel (EN 1.4462, Outokumpu 2205). Giving excellent mechanical
properties and corrosion resistance, Avesta 2205 has a
long record of success in these applications.

AVESTA 2507/P100
For welding super duplex 2507 (EN 1.4410, Outokumpu
SAF 2507) and similar grades. Avesta’s 2507/P100 range of
highly alloyed super duplex consumables provides better
strength and corrosion resistance than ordinary duplex fillers.

 

 

More Welding Data Duplex.

Keep focus on the HAZ. Most typical duplex stainless steels weld problems are associated with the heat-affected zone (HAZ), not with the weld metal. The HAZ problems are typically a loss of corrosion resistance and toughness, or concern for post-weld cracking.

To avoid duplex HAZ problems, use moderate parameters, ensure good dilution, provide interpass temp controls. The weld procedure should focus on minimizing total time at temperature in the "red hot" range for the whole procedure rather than managing the heat input for a specific pass.

Keep tight chemistry control of both base ally and consumables. In contrast to austenitic stainless, the weld characteristics of duplex stainless steels are much more sensitive to minor variations in the weld / steel chemistry. Especially important is the nitrogen content. The metallurgical condition of the materials used in actual fabrication should be the same quality (heat) with regard to composition and production practice, as the material used to qualify the welding procedure.

Contamination sensitivity. The need to clean the weld area prior to welding applies to all stainless steels, however remember that duplex steels are more sensitive to contamination, and especially sensitive to moisture, dirt, oils, paints, cutting surface oxides, anti spatter compounds and moisture. Any of these will interfere with welding operations and adversely affect the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the welds.

The duplex steel weld joint design should enable full weld penetration. The design should avoid autogenous regions in the weld applications. Machine rather than grind the weld edge preps to provide weld edge uniformity. When grinding pay attention to the weld surface uniformity.

Weld Technique. Limit single pass fillet weld sizes to 1/4 (6 mm). Don't weave use stringers, minimum stringer size 5 mm. For root passes use a good land on pipe (3/32). The land enables a root that will have more throat depth. The thicker root ensures that the following hot pass weld HAZ does not go through the root and cause the ID root face to have reduced corrosion resistance. Again remember the importance of utilizing moderate weld parameters.

 

When establishing that QUALIFYING weld procedure for duplex give consideration to the following;

[] You can check the weld and HAZ ferrite with a Ferro Scope, this is a good indication of the weld dilution attained.

[] Check the impact properties.

[] Do a macro to examine dilution or a micro to examine metallurgy of the weld and HAZ.

[] A corrosion test as in G48 22C for standard duplex and 35C for super duplex

 

 

Don't forget we have a Stainless Section also.