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What is Age Hardening of Stainless Steel ?

    What is age hardening ? This is a type of heat treatment process also known as precipitation hardening. It uses controlled heating and cooling to alter the microstructure of the material to strengthen and harden the metal alloy. It improves the performance of critical tuyaux en acier inoxydable et raccords de tuyauterie en acier inoxydable.

    What is Age Hardening : Main Steps

    Age hardening is divided into two main steps. First, the alloy is heated, which is called solid solution treatment, and it dissolves all the alloying elements. Then, the material is rapidly cooled, which is called quenching, and the alloying elements are “trapped” in solution. Next, the material is reheated to a lower temperature, which is called aging. The trapped elements form fine particles, which impede dislocation motion, which strengthens the material.

    What is Age Hardening: Why it Matters

    Age hardening significantly increases tensile strength and improves yield strength, making the metal more ductile.

    Age hardening increases the hardness of the material and improves wear resistance. This is critical for components such as valve trim or pump shafts.

    Age hardening increases fatigue life, allowing the material to withstand repeated stress cycles.

    The process is tightly controlled and ensures that the passive layer remains intact to be able to maintain corrosion resistance.

    Age Hardening VS Other Methods

    MéthodePrimary MechanismTypical MaterialsResult
    Age HardeningPrecipitation of particlesPH Stainless Steels,Nimonic AlloysHigh Strength, good Ductility
    Work HardeningPlastic deformation, cold workAustenitic SS, CopperHigh Strength, less Ductility
    Traitement thermiqueMicrostructure changeCarbon steels, some SSHardness, wear resistance

    Age-hardenable Nimonic Alloys

    GradeKey PropertiesUse in Piping
    Nimonic 80AHigh strength, creep resistanceGas turbine parts, bolts
    Nimonic 81Enhanced creep strengthFurnace components, bolts
    Nimonic 90High creep/stress rupture strengthHot work tooling, springs
    Nimonic 115Extreme high-temp strengthHigh-performance turbine blades
    Nimonic 901Good strength at moderate high tempJet engine rotors

    Products and Applications for Age Hardened Stainless Steel

    • Raccords forgés: Coudes, tees et brides can be age-hardened for use in high-pressure systems.
    • Soupape Fittings: Valve seats and stems are made of age-hardened stainless steel, which is resistant to wear and galling and ensures long-term sealing.
    • Pump Shafts: These components require high strength and fatigue resistance, which is provided by age-hardening.
    • High Pressure Pipes: Age-hardened pipes and tubes are used in critical pipelines to withstand extremely high pressures.

    Sourcing Age Hardened Stainless Steel

    A complete Material Test Report (MTR) is required. It verifies the precise composition of the alloy and ensures its performance.

    Travailler avec specialized suppliers of stainless steel pipe and fittings. They understand these alloy steels and can ensure proper fabrication and quality control,and are ISO 9001 et CE-PED certified.

    This alloy is difficult to machine and requires special tools. Specific welding techniques are essential to ensure the integrity of the weld.

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