TPi May 2014

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business & market news
18 Tube Products International May 2014
New steel grade ASME certified
The new ferritic steel grade VM12-
SHC, developed by Vallourec, has been
certified by ASME (Code Case 2781).
VM12-SHC has already been used for
many years in European design for
modern high temperature power plants
and heat recovery steam generators
(HRSG), and can now be used for all
ASME design.
Vallourec states that the product is
optimally suited for replacing grade
X20CrMoV11-1 superheater pipes
in existing power plants. VM12-SHC
extends Vallourec’s range of ferritic
seamless steel tubes for power plants.
The letters ‘SHC’ refer to one of the
new steel’s key properties: super high
corrosion resistant, they qualify tubes
made from this grade for extremely
corrosive steam-carrying pipes for
high-temperature applications up to
620°C. According to Vallourec, the
steel’s special chemical composition
puts it in a performance class
unparalleled in its category in terms
of creep strength and resistance to
steam oxidation.
The ASME certification procedures
provided an opportunity for VM12-SHC
to demonstrate its behaviour under the
obligatory tests and checks. As shown
by the test results, the steel combines
excellent mechanical and physical
properties with an oxidation resistance
comparable to that of the austenitic
steel grade TP347FG and surpassing
those of steel grades T91 and T92.
One of the most important criteria
relevant to a material’s suitability for
a given application is its processing
behaviour, notably in terms of cold
bending properties and weldability. In
this particular area, VM12-SHC passed
all of the standardised tests (eg creep
tests, creep rupture tests on tube
bends and stress crack detection after
welding).
VM12-SHC is produced at European
Vallourec locations. Tubes in the new
steel grade are available heat-treated
and with wall thicknesses of up to
12mm.
Vallourec Deutschland GmbH –
Germany
German supplier to manufacture in USA
Rattunde, a Germany-based manu-
facturer of finished length tube and
solid bar production systems, has been
operating in the North American market
for over seven years. The company
is building a 30,000ft2 facility near
its current location in Grand Rapids,
Michigan.
The plant will continue to house the North
American sales and service operations
and will allow for expanded spare parts
inventory and manufacturing operations,
including the production of tooling and
various machine components. The new
facility will also house a technical centre
with a machine on-site at all times for
demonstration and training. Future plans
call for an expansion of the building to
over 100,000ft2, enabling Rattunde to
produce its entire finished length tube
and solid bar production systems there.
This decision was reached after analysis
of the current and anticipated business
needs of the company.
According to Rattunde Corporation
president Richard Stadler, growth of
the company into diverse markets
throughout North America made the
new facility a logical choice. “There
were several reasons why we wanted
to remain in the greater Grand Rapids
area, but one of the main reasons is the
excellent talent base here. Companies
are built on people and, whether you
are looking for an experienced veteran
of industry or a fresh graduate from one
of our ranking high schools, colleges, or
universities, outstanding people can be
found here.”
Rattunde & Co GmbH – Germany