Outokumpu has relaunched its high-performance stainless steel grade Outokumpu 654 SMO®. Providing superior corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, the grade is poised to move the boundaries of stainless steel by offering a cost-effective alternative for a range of applications where nickel alloys and titanium are currently used. 654 SMO® is a superaustenitic grade that provides a higher level of pitting and crevice corrosion resistance when compared to other stainless steels. With nearly twice the strength of common austenitic stainless steels, the 654 SMO® offers excellent ductility, toughness and fabricability. A distinct cost difference is apparent when comparing the grade to nickel-base alloys and titanium; 654 SMO® contains significantly lower levels of costly nickel and molybdenum, making it a lean Ni-base alloy. The grade has replaced titanium in the most aggressive areas of Swedish and Finnish nuclear power plant condensers, as the higher erosion resistance and superior stiffness of 654 SMO® allows for thinner tubing walls and greater reliability. 654 SMO® is suitable for flowlines, seawater cooling systems, filters for off-gas handling and other flue gas cleaning equipment.
