Interesting and unexpected project experiences with super duplex stainless steels

This is a North Scottish Branch event organised and run by our North Scottish Branch for its members. Other members and non-members are welcome to join us.

Overview: The presentation discusses some of the past and present metallurgical problems experienced when using super duplex stainless steel on major projects.

Avoiding intermetallic phases or deciding what may or may not be an acceptable level of intermetallic precipitation has been challenging in both the manufacture and fabrication of components.

The presentation outlines a series of interconnected metallurgical problems that occurred over a period of time. These involve sigma phase in solution treated and water quenched products and in “as welded” joints, HISC failures and nitrides in forgings. These problems raised many questions and had significant implications for project activity. While the timeline of these experiences ranges from the early 1990’s to today, the continued development of the global supply chain means that the issues remain current and very relevant. The presentation concludes by considering the role of nitrides in limiting the low temperature impact toughness of forgings used in subsea applications and how this is metallurgically managed to achieve acceptable impact properties at minus 70°C.

Speaker: Dr Glenn Byrne (Director - Projects and Technology, Rolled Alloys)

Speaker Biography: Glenn was educated at the University of Sheffield where he achieved a B.Met Hons in Metallurgy. He has also been award with a prize in Metallurgy by the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers and has a PhD on the Manual Metal Arc Repair Weldability of Rail Steels) Glenn is a Fellow of the IoM3, MWeldI and CEng.

Glenn initially joined Corrosion and Protection Centre for Industrial Services at UMIST (a contract metallurgical and corrosion R&D and failure investigation business based in the University) and in  1989 joined Weir Materials and Foundries (WM&F). Here he worked on application, development and sales of duplex and super duplex stainless steel in all product forms. In 2008 WM&F was acquired by Rolled Alloys, a specialist metal stockholder, processor and pipework system packager. Rolled Alloys deal internationally in the supply of aerospace, heat and corrosion resistant stainless steels and nickel alloys to a wide range of industrial users.

Glenn is a physical metallurgist with a strong interest in understanding the relationship between method of manufacture, microstructure, properties and application of steels. How they work, why they fail and how they can be improved.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Attending this event supports your professional development.  You can claim 2 CPD points per hour for this event.  As a member of the Welding Institute you can record your CPD activity online from your membership portal.

Additional Information:

• Registration for this event will close 24 hours before the start.
• Live event only
• Registration details maybe shared with our Branch volunteers to help facilitate this event.