The characteristics of steel 12X18H10T are considered one of the best. This has led to the fact that this brand of raw materials has become extremely widespread. She gained the greatest popularity in the industrial industry. This material belongs to chromium-nickel titanium-containing stainless steels of the austenitic class.
Description of composition
If we talk about the composition of this alloy, then it includes such elements as:
- titanium;
- chromium;
- iron;
- carbon;
- nickel;
- manganese;
- silicon;
- sulfur.
If we talk about the chemical characteristics of steel 12X18H10T, then they must meet the requirements that are specified in the state standard under the number 5632-72. Due to its composition and parameters, this raw material can be used both in the cryogenic industry, where work is carried out at temperatures up to -280 degrees Celsius, and in steelmaking furnaces, the temperature in which can reach +1800 degrees Celsius.
In addition, this steel grade can also be characterized by the fact that its toughness and ductility are at a high level. Due to these two parameters, the processing of such a material occurs quite smoothly, but care must be taken when deforming the sheet type of raw material. There may be flaws during the process.
Processing and composition characteristics
If we talk about the processing of this material, it is easily amenable to, for example, automatic and manual arc welding. Also, work is carried out on heat treatment of the alloy in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 1040 to 1080 degrees Celsius. After this operation, the characteristics of steel 12X18H10T are significantly improved. The rate of material stiffness and ductility is seriously growing, as well as strength increases to the maximum limit.
Thanks to these qualities, stainless material is successfully used not only in the cryogenic industry, but also where it is important to maintain good heat transfer. It can be parts for pipelines used in high-pressure steam heaters, equipment for furnaces, etc. It is also important to note that with stable operation, the characteristics of 12Kh18N10T stainless steel allow it to withstand the effects of oxidizing substances at a temperature of 800 degrees Celsius or less .
Industrial Alloy Applications
This raw material has been successfully used in the production of various elements for industrial welding equipment. Such a detail as a seamless pipe made of 12X18H10T alloy enjoys wide popularity. Elements made from this raw material can be used in environments characterized by high pressure and temperatures, as well as aggressive chemical environments. In other words, it is actively used in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries.
In addition, it is very important to note that this composition can be in contact with nitric and other acids, without losing their physical characteristics. 12X18H10T is an almost unique product that can also work harmlessly with substances that are organic acids with an average concentration, as well as with other solvents.
The most common applications of this alloy can be found in the following areas:
- the manufacture of pipes of a seamless type having a special purpose and different diameters;
- systems characterized by very low temperatures;
- for the manufacture of a variety of containers used in close cooperation with aggressive environments;
- in exhaust units, muffles, etc.
Summarizing Alloy Parameters
Generally speaking, it can be unequivocally stated that the range of applications of steel 12X18H10T is very wide. The characteristics of the alloy make it possible to operate the products at extremely low or, conversely, very high temperatures. In addition, corrosion will not occur during use. Due to the fact that the alloy contains carbon, a very high strength is observed, and some other chemical elements exclude the possibility of magnetization of steel.
How does alloying affect composition?
It is important to start here with the fact that this alloy grade, as mentioned earlier, belongs to the austenitic class. This means that it undergoes a standard hardening procedure at a temperature of 1050 degrees Celsius, and then it is cooled in water. The structure of the steel strongly resembles a solution.
In addition, there are no changes when heated to hot plastic deformation, as well as when cooled to -196 degrees. If you withstand the raw materials for a long time in the temperature range from 450 to 650 degrees, the precipitation of chromium carbides will begin to occur . This will cause a defect such as intergranular corrosion.
However, it is important to understand here that chromium is one of the most important elements contained in the composition. The amount of this chemical in the composition is in the range of 17 to 19%. It is he who gives the final alloy a very high resistance to corrosion and provides the ability to passivation.
Alloy 12X18H10T according to GOST 5632-2014
This State Standard establishes all the most important requirements and rules that apply to steel grades belonging to the class of alloyed, stainless, corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant and heat-resistant. It also contains a classification of these compounds in their structure.
The 12X18H10T brand belongs to the purely austenitic class, which means that its structure is a stable austenitic type. In addition, there are alloys such as austenitic-ferritic, austenitic-martensitic and several others. The name shows which type of element was added to the alloy structure. Here it is worth noting only that in the case of the addition of ferrite, its amount should not exceed 10%. And in the case of a martensitic structure, the limits of measurement are much wider.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that some of the characteristics of steel 12X18H10T and any other that falls within the scope of the standard can be changed at the request of the customer. For example, it is possible to limit the lower limit of the mass fraction of a substance such as manganese. However, this paragraph applies only to those formulations that initially have a restriction only on the upper limit.