TK Stainless

68 MaGaZine
The neW MaTeriaL nirosTa 1.4521
is suitable for drinking water pipes.
---
The riGhT MaTeriaL For DrinKinG WaTer pipes:
neW appLiCaTion For niCKeL-Free sTainLess sTeeL
---
For example, drinking water pipes have traditionally been made from copper,
and in many cases also nickel-bearing stainless steel. With the price of nickel
fluctuating sharply, some manufacturers started to look at alternatives,
such as plastic. “In this situation, we examined the use of lower-priced
stainless steels for these applications,” explains Manfred Buckel, head of
product service at ThyssenKrupp Nirosta. The material needs to satisfy the
following requirements: The steel must not rust, even in unfavorable conditions,
it must have a high-quality surface and be amenable to forming into pipes.
Joints between pipe sections must be secure.
The ferritic stainless steel 1.4521 from ThyssenKrupp Nirosta is a
perfect match for these properties. Although it contains molybdenum, which
is important for corrosion resistance, the material is free of nickel. This grade,
which has been in ThyssenKrupp Nirosta’s portfolio for quite some time, has
now been developed further in collaboration with customers. “The material
was gratefully accepted by the companies. As well as securing the future of
stainless steel drinking water pipes, this also opens up additional market
potential,” says Manfred Buckel from the technical customer advice department
at ThyssenKrupp Nirosta. “For example, the material is also suitable for use in
sprinkler systems and fire extinguisher pipes.”
stainless steel