Custom 450 Alloy
Custom 450 is an age-hardenable martensitic stainless steel alloy with superior corrosion resistance properties. The alloy was originally developed due to a need for a high strength alloy that could tolerate exposure to high temperatures and also withstand seawater corrosion. Custom 450 has demonstrated its worth both as a structural material and as a high strength, corrosion-resistant alloy.
Applications
Custom 450 is found in many diverse applications, most notably demanding structural applications, requiring superior mechanical and corrosion resistance forms. These include household appliances, springs, gears, chemical vessels, seawater valves, consumer goods, oil and gas exploration tools, food service equipment, turbines, and many other products. The stability of the alloy is such that it can be used in application where high tensile strength and long term fatigue properties are required.
Mechanical Properties
At room temperature, Custom 450 exhibits great mechanical properties. As a martensitic stainless steel alloy, it offers excellent tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, toughness, and malleability. Its strength and hardness is maintained even after extended heating up to 1500 °C. Furthermore, the alloy also offers exceptional resistance to stress corrosion cracking, pitting, and crevice corrosion due to its high levels of chromium and molybdenum content. This makes it an ideal material for applications in highly corrosive environments.
Heat Treatment
Custom 450 can be heat-treated in a variety of ways depending on the desired properties. Quenching to achieve the desired mechanical properties is recommended when working with the alloy. Custom 450 is readily age-hardenable, with best results being achieved when heating the alloy to temperatures between 850°C and 1040°C for about 4-10 hours. The microstructure of the alloy remains relatively unchanged when it is exposed to temperatures up to 540°C. However, austenite should not be allowed to form above 540°C as this can lead to a decrease in the alloy’s properties.
Welding
Custom 450 can be welded using standard welding techniques, however, it should be noted that the alloy has a tendency to harden after welding. Preheating and post-welding heat treatments should, therefore, be employed to ensure that welding will not adversely affect the properties of the alloy. In addition, it should also be noted that vacuum or inert gas shielding is recommended when welding Custom 450 to prevent contamination of the weld metal.
Conclusion
Custom 450 is a versatile, age-hardenable martensitic stainless steel alloy with exceptional mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. The alloy can be used for a variety of demanding applications, such as household appliances, springs, gears, and chemical vessels, and is able to withstand high temperature exposure and produce outstanding strength and hardness when appropriately heat treated. Welding may be performed with standard techniques, however, preheating and post-welding procedures are recommended in order to avoid any alterations to the alloy’s properties.
