NSSC Develops New Dual Phase Stainless Plate NSSC 2120

Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corporation (NSSC), Japanese largest stainless steel maker, announced on Thursday the firm developed dual phase stainless plate, NSSC 2120 (21% Cr-2% Ni-N) which can weld on high heat input and alternate for SUS 304. The welding efficiency more than doubled from conventional dual phase stainless plates and the strength also doubled compared with SUS 304. Meanwhile, NSSC 2120 is cheaper than SUS 304. The firm’s Yahata works started the sample shipment. NSSC expects for the adoption for large size construction structures, impounded water tanks, foods, chemical tanks, pressure tanks or welded H-beams. The sales target is 15,000 tonnes per year 2-3 year later.

NSSC 2120 is provided in the sizes with maximum 60 millimeters of thickness and 4 meters of width. Existing dual phase stainless plates can’t weld on high heat input because welding property is low and plate’s corrosion resistance decreases. NSSC will acquire ASTM standard for NSSC 2120 in 3Q 2012 and already acquired Nippon Kaiji Kyokai grade.

High strength of NSSC 2120 also realizes less stainless steel consumption at maximum a half. The price is lower since NSSC 2120 contains less rare metals such as nickel and molybdenum compared with SUS 304.

Global demand for dual phase stainless plate was estimated at 250,000 tonnes in 2010. Domestic demand is estimated at 3,000 tonnes per year, according to NSSC. The firm will sell NSSC 2120 at 7,500 tonnes to domestic market.