A new standard for testing lean duplex stainless steels has just been approved by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials). Lean duplex stainless steels were developed approximately 13 years ago as alternatives to traditional grades in addition to being duplex substitutions for austenitic stainless steels.
The new standard, ASTM A1084- Test Method for Detecting Detrimental Phases in Lean Duplex Austenitic/Ferritic Stainless Steels was developed by Subcommittee A01.14 on Methods of Corrosion Testing, part of ASTM’s Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and related alloys. Until now, users of standard duplex grades have attempted to use ASTM A923-Test Methods for Detecting Detrimental Intermetallic Phase in Duplex Austenitic/Ferritic Stainless Steels to test the lean duplex grades, but the new standard will be much better since it deals specifically with duplex stainless steels.
Mr. Poul-Erik Arnvig, vice president, global market development, Outokumpu Stainless AB and A01 Committee member has commented that, “When used, A1084 will give added information and comfort outside existing standard specifications that the material ordered and delivered is free from deleterious amounts of unwanted phases that, if present in significant amounts, often will deteriorate both corrosion resistance and toughness properties of the materials in question.” Currently, A1084 includes two alloys, but Mr. Arnvig would like to see more alloys covered in future revisions.