Langley Alloys Ltd has been involved with super duplex alloys for over 40 years, patenting the first wrought 25cr duplex alloy FERRALIUM 255 (25% Chromium, 5% Nickel) which remains the industry leading grade - the forerunner of modern ‘super duplex’. A large volume of in-service data has been amassed, and this provides thorough insight into how each alloy will perform in critical environments.

Today Langley, based in a new, efficient distribution facility in Staffordshire, UK, maintains extensive stocks of all the main super duplex and duplex grades, all of which have alternative designations. In particular the highest strength super duplex available today is 255-SD50, related in the USA to specifications such as UNS 32550 and ASTM 182 (ASME) F61, or in UK and Europe as 1.4507 (rostfreier Stahl, acciaio inossidabile, acier inoxydable, roestvrij or aco Inoxidável). In production of this alloy, there is a marked restriction of composition range and a requirement for strictly controlling the composition ratios between the elements. The latter is particularly important to maintain a 45% to 55% ferrite content. The result of the imposition of all these restraints is that the mechanical strength of FERRALIUM 255-SD50 is 10% higher than other super duplex stainless steels.

Langley can also supply FERRALIUM in grades SD40, 3SF, 3AF (Aged grade), FG46 (Fastener grade) and 3SC (Cast grade). FERRALIUM 255-SD50 offers excellent corrosion resistance, combined with outstanding mechanical properties, derived from its dual ferritic and austenitic micro-structure. It can withstand high design loads, inevitable mechanical abuse and, of course, the pressure experienced at great depths. Thus it is frequently selected in the offshore oil and gas industry for components such as pressure housings, pumps and valves, and many drill string and well-head components. Other applications for FERRALIUM 255-SD50 include components exposed to corrosive chemicals, including sulphuric, phosphoric and nitric acids. Process plants also employ it in polypropylene, PVC and titanium dioxide production, and in caustic evaporators, as well as equipment handling organic and fatty acids.The papermaking industry uses the alloy in machinery for the bleaching process, and the food industry has adopted it in sugar cane processing and in the processing of cereals. Fertiliser production is another sector where its advantages have been proven.

Also stocked in this range are related products including UNS32760 (F55 or also known as Zeron 100), 32750 (F53 or Alloy 2507) and 31803 (F51 or Alloy 2205). These alloys are supported by FERMONIC® 50 (XM-19) - a high-strength, non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel.

This product group remains at the centre of the Langley Alloys’ business, with supply capability in a variety of forms including rolled or forged bars and sections, billet, hot or cold rolled plate and tube. All testing is designed to meet and exceed the requirements set out in NORSOK (M630) and NACE (MR01-75). Full materials certification and traceability is supplied to, monitored through Langley’s approval to ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100 quality management systems. All this is backed by a technical and metallurgical advisory service, making Langley Alloys No.1 for duplex and super duplex alloys.

Langley Alloys Ltd is also a leading UK distributor and stockist of a complementary range of high-strength, corrosion-resistant aluminium bronzes and copper nickels. Extensive stocks are held of HIDURON® - a high-strength copper nickel alloy, and HIDURAL® 5 - a bronze alloy developed specifically for high performance bearing applications. Both products are also proprietary alloys invented and developed by Langley Alloys. More recently, the company has invested in stocks of MONEL® Alloy K500 - a high-strength nickel copper alloy used mainly in offshore and marine applications, where it offers a high fatigue strength in seawater as well as resistance to chloride stress corrosion and to impingement attack.

The latest development by the company has been the acquisition in December 2009 of National Metal Distributors Inc. (NMD). Based in Vancouver, Washington State, USA, NMD will be used to expand group sales into North America in sectors such as offshore oil and gas. NMD will enhance the portfolio of product forms offered by the Langley Group, to include pipe, tube and fittings - available in all three grades of super duplex (S32550, S32760 and S32750). Just as in the UK, the plan is to fully focus on its business in wrought high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloys.