TPi September 2017

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44 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL September 2017
products & developments
Heat-resistant stainless steel
for the safe trasport of hot gases and
vapours by the process industry
For the safe transport of hot gases
and vapours at temperatures of up to
850°C, many manufacturers of compo-
nents for the process industry choose
austenitic stainless steel 1.4550/347H.
To meet increasing demand, Ugitech
has added UGI® 4550 to its stainless
portfolio, making it one of only three
suppliers in Europe.
The company sees this move as a way
of enhancing its position as a producer
of austenitic heat-resistant stainless
grades for the process industry.
Steam lines, superheater tubes and
exhaust systems in reciprocating
engines and gas turbines are typical
applications for Ugitech’s UGI 4550.
The addition of niobium makes the
finished steel grades well adapted for
temperature ranges between 425°C
and 850°C.
Compared to most austenitic materials,
UGI 4550 inhibits the formation of
chromium carbide precipitates at the
grain boundaries and thus stops inter-
granular corrosion.
The stainless product is optimum
for parts for which treatment of the
material after welding is not feasible,
such as expansion joints and equipment
for chemical processing at high
temperatures.
UGI 4550 is also readily formed at room
temperature and is easy to weld – there
is no hot cracking after welding. Good
creep resistance (resilience against
temperature-dependent deformation)
and resistance to atmospheric corrosion
and oxidation at high temperatures
further increase process reliability.
Ugitech offers UGI 4550 in a wide
range of dimensions, from steel bar
with a diameter of 130mm to ultrafine
16µm in diameter. The steel product is
annealed or cold drawn to the required
mechanical properties. The minimum
order quantity at Ugitech is one ton for
drawn steel bar, and lower for drawn
wire.
The company is able to deliver rapidly
because the steel mill is equipped with
40t melting furnaces.
Ugitech SA – France
Ugitech’s UGI 4550 is used in applications such as steam lines, superheater tubes and exhaust systems
Photo credit: Ugitech ©iStockphoto annavaczi