Heat-resistant Steel Castings

Steels are now used for a wide variety of conditions entailing heat and corrosion under both static and dynamic stresses such as aero engine valves, furnace conveyors, retorts, oil cracking units and gas turbines.

Stainless steel castings are usually classified as either corrosion-resistant castings or heat-resistant. The usual distinction between heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant cast steels is based on carbon content.

Castings are classified as heat resistant if they are capable of sustained operation while exposed, either continuously or intermittently, to operating temperatures that result in metal temperatures in excess of 650oC.

Heat-resistant steel castings resemble high-alloy corrosion-resistant steels except for their higher carbon content, which imparts greater strength at elevated temperature.

The three principal categories of Heat Resistant Steel Cast steels, based on composition are:

* Iron-chromium alloys
* Iron-chromium-nickel alloys
* Iron-nickel-chromium alloys