Metals are used in industry since they have been found on the earth. With the unique properties of metals, they are categorized according to their purpose. One of the commonly used metals widely used in industries majorly for piping and tubing requirements is stainless steel. It has a series of properties that makes it an ideal choice for heavy-duty and extensive chemical tasks as well.
Whether it is a high strength, corrosion resistance, magnetic response or heat tolerance, every property of stainless steel makes it ideal for industrial use. When it comes to stainless steel, some many grades and types differentiate the metal according to its characteristics. It is essential to understand that stainless steel is available in different types that you need to understand before putting it to optimal use.
What is Stainless Steel AL-6XN?
It is a super austenitic stainless steel that is highly corrosion-resistant. AL-6XN is majorly famous for its amazing resistance to chloride pitting, stress corrosion cracking and crevice corrosion. AL6XN is ideally made for highly aggressive environments, and you can use it for heavy-duty tasks as well. It is a 6 moly alloy which is known for its durability. Those who are looking for AL 6XN tubing can be highly benefitted by the amazing properties it holds. The reason AL 6XN has an impressive corrosion resistance is because of its higher concentration of the below elements-:
- Nitrogen: To slow down the formation of chi phase.
- Chromium: For good resistance in oxidizing environments.
- Molybdenum: for improving chloride resistance.
- Nickel: To stabilize the austenitic microstructure.
Physical Properties of AL-6XN
| Property | Value |
| Elasticity | 28.3 x 106 psi |
| Density | 0.291lb/in3 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 6.8 Btu/hr • ft • °F |
| Melting Point | 2410 – 2550°F |
| Expansion Coefficient | 8.5 • 10-6/°F |
| Magnetic Permeability | 1.0028 Oersted |
| Scaling Temperature | 1885°F |
Different Uses of AL 6XN
AL 6 XN stainless steel is used in various forms. Here are a few common types that you can easily spot in the market-:
- Sheets
- Bar
- Pipes and Tube
- Plate
- Fittings
Corrosion Resistance in AL 6XN Stainless Steel
It’s the content present in AL 6XN that makes it durable enough for corrosion resistance. Chromium, molybdenum, nitrogen and nickel are responsible for the outstanding corrosion resistance in AL 6XN. Among all the content, chromium is the primary agent for enhancing the corrosion resistance in AL 6XN. Molybdenum, nitrogen, and chromium together work on increasing the pitting corrosion resistance. Nickel helps in making the austenitic structure.
Characteristics of AL 6XN
There are three significant characteristics for which AL 6XN is popular among the industries-:
- Superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion
- Excellent immunity against stress corrosion in extreme environments.
- Toughness and high strength
Applications of AL 6XN
There are plenty of regions where AL 6XN has proved its excellence. It is one of the elite class of stainless steel, which better known for its durability and outstanding corrosion resistance. Each property of AL 6XN makes it an ideal contender for the perfect heavy-duty material. Following are some of the applications of AL 6XN-:
- Reverse osmosis equipment and pumps
- Chemical tanks and pipelines
- Heat exchangers in seawater
- FCD scrubbers
- Offshore oil and gas manufacturing equipment
- Oil distillation columns
- Pulp bleaching, plant washers, press rolls, pipes, and vats
Industries Using AL 6XN
The above-mentioned characteristics and properties are enough to denote the magnificence of AL 6XN in the market. There are plenty of industries that are currently using AL 6XN stainless steel for different purposes.
Here are a few common industries that use AL 6XN stainless steel.
Chemical Processing
The chemical industry is highly precarious. It involves various chemicals that certain metals cannot withstand. That’s where AL 6XN showcase its prowess.
Oil And Gas
Oil and gas industry involves heavy-duty tasks, including offshore and onshore extraction, and AL 6XN makes a perfect metal that can withstand extreme environments.
Power Generation
Another popular industry that is using AL 6XN stainless steel is power generation. It involves the use of heavy equipment that needs to tolerate extreme temperature and chemical process. AL 6XN is the ideal metal that can be used in such conditions.
The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt in asserting that stainless steel has all the valid reasons to become the most popular metal used in the industries. It is brimmed with quality properties that make it an ideal choice. AL 6XN is a super austenitic stainless steel which is ideally used in extreme environments and heavy-duty tasks.
Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion are the major takeaways of this stainless steel. High strength, toughness, immunity to stress corrosion are some other highlights of AL 6XN. Industries that involve working in extreme conditions are the ones who are primarily benefitted by this metal.
The above mentioned were some of the vital information regarding AL 6XN that you need to be aware of.