For severe service conditions duplex and superduplex stainless steels constitute the most economic choice of material because of their unique combination of corrosion and mechanical properties. Further developments in the application of duplex stainless steels call for heavy section forgings of controlled microstructure and mechanical and corrosion resistance throughout the whole steel block. Microstructure and properties obtained at any point in a forged block depend on steel chemical composition, forging schedule, and local cooling rate. Undesirable microstructural characteristics lead to impaired toughness and corrosion properties.

Italfond is one of the few steel works in the world that has specialized in the production of very large forged bars in stainless steels and specially in the duplex types and has developed specific and innovative procedures and plants in the production steps that allow the obtainment of overall properties that meet the most recent requirements of potential end users of forgings up to 500mm diameter.

The present paper describes the production route of heavy section forgings in duplex stainless steel. The relationship between microstructure and final steel properties has been established as well.