Duplex Stainless Steels in the Pulp and Paper Industry, 1992 Engineering Conference Proceedings

Case histories are given of several applications of duplex stainless steels in pulp and paper mill services. Both successes and failures are reviewed. Based on MacMillan Bloedel experience duplex stainless steels are well suited to a range of applications due to strength, fatigue, and corrosion resistance properties superior to the commonly used austenitic stainless steels. They have become an almost automatic maintenance replacement after failures of austenitic stainlesses.

All failures of duplex stainless steel experienced at MacMillan Bloedel have been due to misapplication rather than fabrication problems. Misapplications are inevitable because in many cases the actual service conditions are unknown. Often time is not available for adequate materials testing before material selection must be made.

Examples are given of different levels of evaluation performed before selecting duplex stainless. The results in service are compared with expectations.