Effect of copper additions to Hercules^TM and Type 316 stainless steel

¹ Advanced Materials Division, Mintek Randburg 2125, South Africa
² School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: melanies@mintek.co.za

Abstract

Copper additions of approximately 20 wt% were added to Mintek’s cost effective low nickel austenitic stainless steel Hercules^TM alloy, as well as to an anti-pathogen stainless steel of Lui et al. The alloys were produced using the plasma-melting feature of an Amazmet rePowder system, and characterised in the as-cast condition. The compositions of the alloys were confirmed using spark emission spectrometry and x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The commercial Type 316SS and HerculesTM alloys showed fully austenitic microstructures. The Cu modified alloys contained copper-coloured precipitates within and austenitic matrix. The copper additions had a detrimental effect on the corrosion performance of the alloys, as would be expected.