Products & Services
Stainless Steel
The many beneficial properties of stainless steel are particularly well suited for the power and energy industries, from traditional coal-fired power plants to the newest forms of renewable energy. Its excellent corrosion resistance is a necessity when dealing with the extreme environments in which power plants must be located. Other attributes include the metal’s high strength to weight ratio, weldability, machinability, durability, wear resistance and its ability to withstand extremes of temperature.
Another crucial attribute of stainless steel is its ability to transfer heat. This is an important trait when dealing with electrical components, one that allows stainless steel components to be able to endure the high temperatures and extreme pressure often present in a power generation plant. That’s why stainless steel is found in heat exchangers, pressure tubes, transformer enclosures and more.
The tremendous diversity of stainless steel alloys is another advantage that makes it extremely popular in power generation; it is possible to find specialty metals that can be matched to nearly any application. When it comes to power generation, there are many different types, each with its own advantages related to facilities and equipment. Power plants are found all over the world in every natural environment.
The most popular alloy in the stainless family and the power industry is 304. This workhorse alloy features high corrosion resistance combined with excellent strength, making it suitable for all kinds of applications. If exposure to salt water is a factor, 316 may be a better option; it has elevated corrosion resistance in marine environments.
For equipment and fixtures that are exposed to extremely high temperatures, such as in furnaces, generators, boilers or particular types of turbines, nickel-based alloys are often employed. These include 330, 600, 625, or 230.
Due to its aesthetic appeal, stainless steel is often chosen if pipe must be visible in public or professional settings.
Gardes includes:
Aluminium Bronze
Aluminium bronzes are inherently resistant to all kinds of corrosion, including pitting, crevice, stress and erosion. In offshore applications they are used for pumps, impellers, firewater systems and many other casting applications. Aluminium bronzes also have the key characteristic for offshore oil and gas installations non-sparking, making them an ideal option for hazardous environments.
Aluminum bronzes are a family of copper-based alloys offering a combination of mechanical and chemical properties unmatched by any other alloy series. This feature often makes aluminum bronzes the first choice for demanding applications.
- Excellent strength, similar to that of low alloy steels
- Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in seawater and similar environments, where the alloys often outperform many stainless steels
- Favourable high temperature properties, for short or long term usage
- Good resistance to fatigue, ensuring a long service life
- Good resistance to creep, making the alloys useful at elevated temperatures
- Oxidation resistance, for exposure at elevated temperatures and in oxidizing environments
- Ease of casting and fabrication, when compared to many materials used for similar purposes
- High hardness and wear resistance, providing excellent bearing properties in arduous applications
- Ductility, which, like that for all copper alloys, is not diminished at low temperatures;
- Good weldability, making fabrication economical
- Readily machined, when compared with other high-duty alloys
- Low magnetic susceptibility, useful for many special applications, and
- Ready availability, in cast or wrought forms
Gardes includes:
- B150 C63000
- B150 C63200
- C95500
- C95800
- CW307G (CA104)
Copper Nickel Alloys
Copper nickel alloys are used in steam turbine condensers, oil coolers, auxiliary cooling systems and high pressure pre-heaters at nuclear and fossil fuel power plants. Well-suited to heat transfer processes including steam generators, heat exchangers, coolers, condensers, tanks, pipework, valves and fittings, the alloys can also be used in different environments, from clean seawater to brackish, fresh and cooling tower water. Their resistance to chloride crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking makes them favoured in warmer climates.
Generating electricity in both nuclear and fossil-fuelled power plants involves important heat transfer processes; steam generators, heat exchangers, coolers, condensers, tanks, pipework, valves and fittings. Copper-nickel alloys are well-suited for these applications, as they can be used successfully in a range of environments, including clean seawater with high-total dissolved solids, brackish water, fresh water and cooling tower water.
Gardes includes:
Duplex & Super Duplex
Duplex Stainless Steel Pipe is stronger than 300 series stainless and has high resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. It is used in pipes for the production and transportation of oil and gas, structural and mechanical components, heat exchangers and cooling pipes and power industry FGD systems. The unique properties of Super Duplex mean that it is in high demand for a wide range of scenarios, including structural and mechanical components, utility and industrial systems, high strength wiring solutions, cargo vessels and heat exchangers.
Gardes includes:
- 1.4462 F51 Duplex
- 1.4501 F55 Super Duplex
- 254SM
- LDX
Carbon Steel
Steels are used in every part of the industry, from production to processing to distribution of refined products. Carbon steel pipes have a wide range of applications. They are used for low pressure conveyance of gas, water, oil, air steam or other fluids. In addition, machinery, buildings, sprinkler systems, irrigation systems and water wells all offer opportunities for the use of carbon steel.
Transporting Water
Carbon steel pipes are the ideal choice for transporting water, sewage, and other compatible fluids. Being highly resistant to shock or vibration, the fluctuating water pressure or shock pressure from a water hammer have no ill-effects on steel pipes. Heavy traffic conditions put much pressure on roadway foundations, making carbon steel pipes the primary choice when laying water pipelines under roadways.
Industrial Heating, Condensation, Steam
Carbon steel pipes are widely used in industrial processes involving high heat, extreme cold, or even transporting gases such as steam. Heating systems use thin-wall, straight bead, precision carbon steel pipes with a lower level of carbon content. A layer of zinc is applied to the outside of the pipe using heat treatment.
The pipes go through rigorous testing for use in closed heating systems, with or without antifreeze, and for dry and synthetic oil compressed air systems. Externally galvanized carbon steel pipes are used for circulating heating systems and internally galvanized carbon steel pipes are used for sprinkler and compressed air systems.
Industries across the spectrum use carbon steel pipes in various forms and sizes. Buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines, and appliances are all made from steel.
- Transporting water and waste water underground
- Transporting sewage
- Steel scaffolding and building foundations
- Transporting oil & gas
- Boiler and condenser tubes, transport steam
- High-pressure applications
- Chemical processing
Grades:
ST35.8/P235GH, ST45.8/P265GH, 15Mo3, 16Mo3, 13CrMo44, 10CrMo910, 15NiCuMoNb5, 12CrMo195/X12CrMo5, X12CrM09-1, X20CrMoV12-1, X10CrMoVNb9-1
Nickel Alloys
Nickel alloys have excellent mechanical properties at extremely low and high temperature, as well as outstanding resistance to pitting and corrosion. In fossil fuelled power plants, nickel alloys are used for high temperature strength and oxidation resistance. They are commonly employed in producing coal nozzles, as well as other internal boiler parts like tube supports, tube shields, and temperature probes. In wind energy the largest use of nickel is in ductile iron castings in rotor hubs, gearbox housings, base plates, gears and shafts.
