SAIL can now produce Super Duplex Stainless Steel in SS 32205 grade at its Salem plant

Kolkata: Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has developed the capability to produce Super Duplex Stainless Steel in SS 32205 grade at its Salem Steel Plant (SSP), in a significant technological breakthrough.

With this, SAIL has emerged among the few Indian steelmakers to have developed this grade of steel. This grade of stainless steel has so far been mainly imported. The Super Duplex Stainless Steel has superior corrosion resistance with higher strength and formability. Due to these characteristics, it can be effectively used in various applications in corrosion prone areas, mainly in chemical processing equipment (transport and storage, pressure vessels, tanks, piping and heat exhaust), oil & gas exploration (process equipment, pipes, tubing, marine & other high chloride environments), pulp & paper industries (digesters and bleaching equipment), food processing equipment and biofuel plants.

All these applications require high corrosion resistance steel with strength, which can be met by Super Duplex Stainless Steel (SS 32205 grade) having 3% molybdenum.

SAIL’s Salem Steel Plant is a special plant which specializes in the production of quality stainless steel.

Earlier, SAIL - SSP developed Duplex Stainless Steel (SS 32202 grade) having 0.4% molybdenum content and has already serviced the orders for it. With the new capability to produce Super Duplex Stainless Steel (SS 32205 grade), SAIL has enriched its product basket further and will be able to cater to high-end steel requirement in the country.

The superior qualities of corrosion resistance, strength and formability in this new grade come through the presence of chromium, molybdenum and nitrogen in the steel. This stainless steel also has higher yield strength, almost twice that of standard austenitic steel providing flexibility to use the steel in thinner gauges for same strength.

Commenting on the development, SAIL chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary said: "SAIL is relentlessly making efforts in developing steels, which can play important roles inspired by the Government's clarion call for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local.' The development of this high-end grade is an effort in that direction."