Swiss-based steel-profile Montanstahl has built a new corporate head office with a novel duplex stainless steel skin as a reminder of the many possibilities of duplex. Montanstahl specializes in customized products including special shapes and structural sections. Montanstahl’s new head office building was built using Outokumpu’s duplex LDX 2101® as a cladding material. Together the partners have promoted the use of duplex LDX 2101® as a competent and competitive replacement for conventional austenitic grades. With corrosion resistance close to that of austenitic 1.4404 (316L), LDX 2101® has almost double the strength, which allows for major gauge and weight reductions. The surface finish is Scotch Brite, a polished surface smooth enough to be almost maintenance free – only rainfall will be needed to keep the surfaces clean. The wall cladding in the entrance hall of the building also makes wide use of stainless, consisting of 1.4301 (304). The three unique sculptures in front of the building, commissioned for the site, are fabricated from 1.4404.
