Introduction to 926 Stainless Steel Strip
926 stainless steel strip, known as a super austenitic stainless steel strip, is highly regarded in various industries for its exceptional properties. N08926 is its UNS (Unified Numbering System) standard grade, while alloy 926 stainless steel strip is the common industry name following the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) standard.
Chemical Composition and Microstructure
The chemical composition of 926 stainless steel strip is carefully balanced to endow it with outstanding performance. The typical composition (in percentage) is as follows:
| Element | Content Range | Function |
| Chromium (Cr) | 19.0 - 21.0% | Forms a passive oxide layer, which is crucial for corrosion resistance, especially in oxidizing environments. It helps protect the surface from rust and degradation. |
| Nickel (Ni) | 24.0 - 26.0% | Stabilizes the austenitic microstructure, enhancing toughness and ductility. It also contributes to overall corrosion resistance. |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 6.0 - 7.0% | Significantly improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, particularly in chloride - rich media. |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.15 - 0.25% | Strengthens the alloy through solid - solution hardening, improving mechanical properties without sacrificing too much ductility. |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | The base metal that provides the structural framework for the alloy. |
| Minor Elements | Trace amounts of Mn, Si, etc. | Have minor effects on properties like workability and microstructure stability. |
This composition results in a fully austenitic microstructure, which gives the strip excellent formability and toughness, even at low temperatures.
Mechanical and Physical Properties
Mechanical Properties
926 stainless steel strip offers a good combination of strength and ductility. Some of its key mechanical properties at room temperature are:
| Property | Value |
| Tensile Strength | ≥650 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥300 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥35% |
These properties make it suitable for applications where the material needs to withstand significant stress and deformation without failure.
Physical Properties
- Density: Approximately 8.1 g/cm³. This relatively high density is due to the presence of heavy alloying elements like nickel and molybdenum.
- Melting Point: Ranges from 1320 - 1390 °C. The high melting point allows the strip to be used in applications where exposure to high temperatures is expected.
Standards
926 stainless steel strip complies with several international standards, which ensure its quality and consistency in the global market. Some of the major standards include:
| Standard System | Standard Number |
| ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) | ASTM A240 (for stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips), ASTM B625 (for welded nickel - chromium - iron alloy pipes), etc. |
| EN (European Norm) | EN 10088 - 1:2005. In the EN system, it is designated as X1NiCrMoCuN25 - 20 - 7 with the material number 1.4529. |
Dimensions
The thickness of 926 stainless steel strip typically ranges from 0.05 mm - 3.0 mm. This wide range of thickness options makes it adaptable to various applications, from thin - walled components requiring high flexibility to thicker structures that need to withstand more significant loads. The width and length of the strip can often be customized according to specific customer requirements, with widths commonly available in a wide range to meet different manufacturing needs.
Superior Corrosion Resistance
One of the most remarkable features of 926 stainless steel strip is its outstanding corrosion resistance.
- Resistance to Pitting and Crevice Corrosion: It has a very high resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in media and acidic environments containing sulfur and hydrogen. For example, in chloride - rich solutions, it can withstand high concentrations without developing pits or crevices, which is crucial in applications such as marine environments and chemical processing plants where chloride ions are prevalent.
- Chloride Ion Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance: It can effectively resist chloride ion stress corrosion cracking. This property makes it highly suitable for applications where the material is under stress and exposed to chloride - containing environments simultaneously, like in some oil and gas pipelines.
- General Corrosion Resistance: It also exhibits good corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing media. Whether it is in contact with strong oxidizing acids or reducing agents, the strip can maintain its integrity over a long period.
Advantages
- High - Temperature Performance: It can be used in a wide temperature range, from - 196 °C to 400 °C. This makes it applicable in cryogenic applications as well as in high - temperature industrial processes.
- Good Workability: Despite its high alloy content and excellent mechanical properties, 926 stainless steel strip has good workability. It can be cold - worked and hot - worked using standard metalworking techniques, although some adjustments in processing parameters may be required due to its relatively high strength.
- Weldability: It has satisfactory weldability. With proper welding procedures and filler materials, high - quality welds can be achieved without significant loss of its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
Applications
Due to its unique combination of properties, 926 stainless steel strip finds applications in a wide range of industries:
- Marine Industry: It is used in seawater cooling systems, as it can resist the corrosive effects of seawater for long periods. It is also used in the construction of marine vessels and offshore platforms, where components need to withstand harsh marine environments.
- Chemical Processing: In chemical plants, it is used to make pipelines, reactors, and storage tanks for handling corrosive chemicals. For example, in the production of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid, 926 stainless steel strip can be used to ensure the safe and long - term operation of equipment.
- Oil and Gas Industry: It is suitable for downhole equipment and pipelines in oil and gas production, especially in environments where the presence of corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulfide and chlorides is common.
- Pollution Control: In power plants, it is used in scrubbers and exhaust systems to resist the corrosive gases produced during combustion processes, contributing to more efficient and environmentally friendly power generation.
