Duplex stainless steels lack various of the shortcomings of austenitic stainless steels. Duplex stainless steels in general have a yield strength that is approximately twice as high as that of the standard austenitic stainless steels. Hence, a change to duplex stainless steels will result in a weight reduction. Moreover, duplex stainless steels are considerably less susceptible to stress corrosion in chloride environments.

However, duplex stainless steel are still prone to ‘galling’.

A novel surface hardening treatment has been developed which eliminates galling of duplex stainless steels without affecting the corrosion resistance and without any significant change in size or shape of the treated component.