201 bar products?

[dgallup]

Is 201 stainless steel available in bar form? I have read about substituting 201 for 304 but everything mentioned is for sheet & strip forms. Allegheny Ludlum do not mention any bar products. We have some applications that use 304 in 1/2" bars. How well does 201 turn? 304 is no picnic to turn but we laser weld these parts so 303 is out.

 

[EdStainless]

201 will machine better than 304, but that isn't saying much.
I have a call in looking for a bar source for you.
In the mean time you might think about LDX2101 duplex bar. It machines better than 303, is stronger, and should have similar costs because of very low surcharges. I know that Outokumpu is making LDX2101 bar here in the US.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Still trying to help you stop corrosion.
formerly Trent Tube, now Plymouth Tube
eblessman@plymouth.com
or edstainless@earthlink.net

 

[TVP]

I would try Universal Stainless and Central Wire:

http://www.univstainless.com/

http://www.centralwire.com/

 

[dgallup]

LDX2101 looks very interesting. Welding looks to be OK. LDX2101 should have similar costs to what: 201, 304 or 303? What gives it the machinability of 303? The only comparison I see on Outokumpu's site shows it to be better than 4404 (316L) which is quite similar to 304 machinability.

 

[EdStainless]

I have some internal Outokumpu data that show it machining better than Prodec304.
The dual phase structure apparently is the source of improved machinability.
Cost should be similar to 304. Higher base price and lower surcharge.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Still trying to help you stop corrosion.
formerly Trent Tube, now Plymouth Tube
eblessman@plymouth.com
or edstainless@earthlink.net

 

[mcguire]

My research have not shown duplex to be better than austenitic in machinability, unfortunately. If someone does hear the price comparison to 201/304, I would be very interested. It should be cheaper from an alloy content basis, but I don't know where they chose to put the base price.

Michael McGuire

http://stainlesssteelforengineers.blogspot.com/

 

[EdStainless]

I am guessing that Outokumpu is being a cagey with the data since Prodec is a major product for them.
The data on LDX2101 is clear, it machines very well.
The lean duplex grades are not as strong as the higher alloy grades. This may be what is helping.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Still trying to help you stop corrosion.
formerly Trent Tube, now Plymouth Tube
eblessman@plymouth.com
or edstainless@earthlink.net

 

[mcguire]

That's very good point. Lean duplex have a lot less solid solution hardening, so easier machining than the 2205 which people think of as representing duplex. Now if the base price were only at the 304 level, we would see the broad adoption of 2101. I think the marketing of lean duplex is rendered ineffective by their putting a premium on a new, unfamiliar alloy. It's too bad. It should be replacing much of the market for 316L and 304L, especially in tubing.

Michael McGuire

http://stainlesssteelforengineers.blogspot.com/