LDX2101 Duplex Stainless Steel for Pipe and Tube

Fabrication

Hot forming

• Hot forming is performed in the temperature range 1100–900°C (2010-1650oF) and should be followed by solution annealing. It should, however, be observed that the strength is low at high temperatures.

Cold forming

• Due to the high proof strength of duplex material, greater working forces than those required for austenitic steel are usually needed for cold forming.
• LDX 2101 is suitable for most forming operations used in stainless steel fabrication.
• Due to the grade’s higher mechanical strength and lower toughness, operations such as deep drawing, stretch forming and spinning are more difficult to perform than with austenitic steel.
• The grade’s high strength, may give rise to a relatively high spring back.

Welding

• LDX 2101 has a good weldability and can be welded using the same processes used for other duplex steels.
• In general the recommendations for welding duplex steels also apply for LDX 2101, however, the restrictions in arc energy are less tight than for conventional duplex steels due to the grade’s low alloy content and high nitrogen level.
• Suitable welding methods are manual metal-arc welding with covered electrodes or gas shielded arc welding. Welding should be undertaken within the heat input range 0.2-2.5 kJ/mm. Preheating or post-weld heat treatment is not normally necessary.