Type 654 SMO UNS S32654

Design Features

Specifications
UNS S32654
Plate, Sheet, Strip Pipe Tubing Bar ASME Code Case 2195-1 NACE MR0175

Outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice, and general corrosion Extremely high resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking Twice the strength of common austenitic stainless steels Excellent ductility and toughness Superior workability, formability, and weldability
Product Forms Available

ASTM
A 240, A 480 A 312, A 358 A 249, A 269 A 276, A 479

ASME
SA-240, SA-480 SA-312, SA-358 SA-249, SA-269 SA-479

General Characteristics

Plate Sheet Strip Bar Pipe and Tubing Welding Consumables

Applications

Critical Seawater and Severe Brackish Water Handling Systems Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide Pulp Bleaching Systems Chemical Processing Equipment Desalination Systems Municipal Waste Incineration Systems Plate Heat Exchangers
Composition, wt. pct.
Element
Carbon Chromium Nickel Molybdenum Nitrogen Copper Sulfur Phosphorus Silicon Manganese Iron

With unusually high levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen, Outokumpu Stainless 654 SMO achieves levels of chloride pitting and crevice corrosion resistance not previously possible with an austenitic stainless steel. Outokumpu Stainless was the first stainless steel producer to introduce a nitrogen-alloyed 6% molybdenum austenitic stainless steel with its innovative 254 SMO steel in the 1970s. Now Outokumpu Stainless leads the way to a new level of stainless steel technology with the introduction of 654 SMO.
Structure

Table 1 Typical
0.010 24.0 22.0 7.3 0.50 0.50 0.001 0.020 0.40 3.0 Balance

ASTM S32654
0.020 max 24.0-25.0 21.0-23.0 7.0-8.0 0.45-0.55 0.30-0.60 0.005 max 0.030 max 0.50 max 2.00-4.00 Balance

As shown in Table 2, 654 SMO is solution annealed at 2100F minimum to achieve a fully austenitic stainless steel structure, although faint traces of intermetallic phases (sigma or chi phase) may be present and tolerated in the center of the heavier sections. These phases may also form on the grain boundaries in the metal during exposures in the range of 1100 to 1825F, with detrimental
Characteristic Temperatures
Temperature F
Solidification Range Scaling Temperature in Air Sigma Phase Formation Carbide Precipitation Hot Forming Solution Annealing Stress Relief Annealing 2500-2445 1830 1300-1800 840-1470 2200-2000 2100 min. water quench 2100 min. water quench

Table 2

Outokumpu Stainless

Type 654 SMO

effects on corrosion resistance and toughness. The procedures for forming, welding, and heat treatment are designed to prevent this undesirable precipitation of intermetallic phase.
Corrosion Resistance Pitting and Crevice Corrosion

Pitting and crevice corrosion are the most common forms of corrosion for stainless steels. Both types of attack result in a highly localized form of corrosion which can lead to perforation in a short time with relatively little total weight loss. Both pitting and crevice corrosion are accelerated by more acidic conditions and by higher temperatures. With its high levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen, 654 SMO is the most resistant stainless steel ever produced. One method of estimating the pitting resistance is to use the pitting resistance equivalent (PRE), an index of pitting resistance based on statistical analysis of the effect of composition of stainless steels on a particular parameter assessing pitting resistance, most usually the critical pitting
PRE* for Stainless Steels (Pitting Resistance Equivalent)
Grade 654 SMO

Table 3 PRE 56.1

43 42.2 36 34.5 25.2

254 SMO 2507 904L 2205 Code Plus Two 316L

*PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N

Critical Crevice Temperatures

Grade ASTM G 48 Practice B 10% FeCl3 6H20 CCT, F 11% H2SO4 1.2% HCl 1% FeCl3 1.0% CuCl2 154
149 82 109

Table 4

Solution

4% NaCl 0.1%Fe2(SO) 6 0.01M HCl 140

131 68 100

654 SMO 140

Alloy C-276 140 Alloy 625 68 254 SMO 100

temperature (CPT) for a selected environment and test procedure. As seen in Table 3, the PRE for 654 SMO is far higher than it is for any of the other stainless steels. The critical pitting temperature is the highest temperature at which a stainless steel will resist attack in a particular environment. Two test procedures are common, one being ASTM G 48, Practice A, which measures the CPT by exposing coupons to a solution of 10% FeCl3 6H2O at a series of increasing temperatures until pitting corrosion is observed. Another newer test is an electrochemical test ASTM G 150 using a test cell specially designed by Outokumpu Stainless Research. Both of these methods have been effective for all other stainless steels, including the 6Mo austenitic stainless steels, such as Outokumpu Stainless 254 SMO. However, these tests are of limited use for 654 SMO because it is completely resistant to attack in these tests at 204F and 217F, the respective boiling points of the chloride media for these tests. So the best evaluation for 654 SMO is obtained by the more aggressive crevice corrosion tests. Table 4 shows critical crevice temperatures for 654 SMO in comparison with those for Alloy 625 and Alloy C-276, and for 254 SMO austenitic stainless steel. The test environments include ASTM G 48, Practice B, and the so-called Green Death solution designed to discriminate among the nickel-base alloys and their high levels of corrosion resistance. These tests were made with multiple crevice washers made of PTFE and imposed on the surface by bolts torqued to 1.16 ft-lb, providing very severe crevice conditions. These tests demonstrate that the 654 SMO is at least as resistant as Alloy C-276 to crevice corrosion in these acidic, oxidizing, high-chloride solutions. To simulate a flue gas desulfurization scrubber environment, an acidic sodium chloridecontaining solution at 176F was bubbled with sulfur dioxide for two hours. The pH of the solution was 1.01.5 at the start of the test but decreased with time to 0.51.0. The lowest chloride level necessary to cause corrosion was determined for each material. As shown in Table 5, 654 SMO is superior to all stainless steels, comparable to Alloy 625, but inferior to Alloy C-276.

Type 654 SMO

It is concluded from these and other observations that 654 SMO is comparable to Alloy C-276, being slightly superior in some environments and slightly inferior in others, depending on details to the particular exposure.
Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)

Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance (SCC) in Drop Evaporation Tests at 392F

Applied Stress % Yield ksi Strength

Table 6 Time to Failure Hours >500, >500

155, 158 >500, >500 >500, >500

Grade 654 SMO

48.5
3.0 21.9 32.1

100
10 70 90

654 SMO austenitic stainless steel also possesses excellent resistance to chloride-induced transgranular stress corrosion cracking. This resistance is a result of the high molybdenum and nickel contents, in combination with the extremely high resistance to pitting. One method to rank stainless steels by their SCC resistance is to test them in accordance with the drop-evaporation test (DET). Uniaxially loaded, electrically heated specimens are exposed to a dripping dilute (0.1 M) sodium chloride solution. The drip rate is adjusted so that one drop is evaporated just before the specimen is hit by the next drop. The applied stress is varied in steps of 10% up to 100% of the yield stress at 392F until cracking occurs or up to a maximum of 500 hours. As shown in Table 6, 654 SMO is resistant to cracking at 100% of its yield strength at the maximum exposure of 500 hours. 654 SMO is not immune to SCC in boiling 42% magnesium chloride. However, it is immune to SCC in boiling 25% sodium chloride and the wick test, both shown to be well correlated with practical experience in resisting SCC in severe heat transfer conditions at ambient pressures.
General Corrosion

316 904L 254 SMO

A discussion of the resistance of a stainless steel to general corrosion must address both pure chemical
Critical Chloride Concentrations
Grade 654 SMO

Table 5

Critical Chloride Concentration, ppm 12,500

50 500 5,000 1,500 4,000 to 15,000 27,500

316 904L 254 SMO 2507 Alloy 625 Alloy C-276

environments, e.g., the strong mineral acids, and those environments with small to moderate levels of contamination with halides. The presence of halides, such as chlorides, bromides, iodides, or fluorides, can significantly accelerate general corrosion, especially in nonoxidizing acids. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, 654 SMO is superior to both 904L and 254 SMO in pure sulfuric acid over most of the concentration range. Neither the 6Mo nor the 7Mo stainless steel is especially good for 96% sulfuric acid. But with contamination of the sulfuric acid with 2000 ppm chloride, the 654 SMO maintains a much higher corrosion resistance than the other stainless steels. An overview of the performance of 654 SMO in a large number of chemical environments is provided by the Materials Technology Institute (MTI) procedure for comparing new grades. New materials are compared with standard alloys tested at the same time under identical conditions by determining the lowest test temperature at which the corrosion rate exceeds 5 mpy. Outokumpu Stainless 654 SMO stainless steel has been evaluated by the MTI procedure and the results are shown in Table 7. 654 SMO shows outstanding corrosion performance, exceeding that of the other special duplex and austenitic stainless steels in each of these environments. Stainless steels such as 316L cannot be used in hydrochloric acid even at very low concentrations because of the risk of localized and general corrosion. However, as shown in Figure 3, 654 SMO may be used in dilute hydrochloric acid even at fairly high temperatures, and at room temperature up to about 8% concentration. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the resistance of 654 SMO to hydrofluoric acid and fluosilic acids is also very good.

Type 654 SMO

When selecting any stainless steel for a particular chemical environment, it should be remembered that the corrosion performance of any grade may be
Isocorrosion Curves (4 mpy) in pure sulfuric acid
Figure 1

strongly affected by the presence of minor chemical constituents that may have been omitted from the laboratory test environment. Therefore, these data should be considered as the starting point for grade selection, to be supported by in-process coupon tests in a pilot plant or operating facility.
Intergranular Corrosion

The very low carbon content of 654 SMO in combination with its generally very good corrosion resistance make the steel immune to intergranular corrosion caused by chromium carbide precipitation. For this reason, the test methods normally used to detect the susceptibility of a stainless steel to intergranular corrosion, such as the methods based on copper sulfate and sulfuric acid mixtures (Strauss test), are not meaningful for 654 SMO. The improper heat treatment of 654 SMO can cause other types of precipitates that may be detrimental to corrosion resistance. These precipitates are better detected by examination of the microstructure or by tests for critical pitting or crevice temperatures in strong chloride environments, and not by the common tests for intergranular corrosion.

Isocorrosion Curves (4 mpy) in sulfuric acid containing 2000 ppm chloride

Figure 2

Isocorrosion Curves (4 mpy) in pure hydrochloric acid

Figure 3

Type 654 SMO

Lowest Temperature (F) at Which the Corrosion Rate Exceeds 5 mpy

Corrosion Environment 654 SMO 254 SMO
>Boiling 158 140 104 68 230 >Boiling 212 >Boiling 212 239 194 140 >Boiling 203ps 104 140 176 140

Table 7 2205 Code Plus Two 2304

>Boiling 185 140 <59 77 194 >Boiling 221 >Boiling 194 194 122 >140 212 113ps 95 <59 113 140 >Boiling 131 149 <<55 59 203 >Boiling 203 >Boiling 59 203 95 >140 194 68p <55 <<50 86 95

904L
>Boiling 122 140 185 95 248 >Boiling 212 >Boiling 212p Boiling 248 >140 >Boiling 140ps 131 122 122 95

Type 316L (2.7 Mo)

Type 304

2507
>Boiling >Boiling 167 <57 86 203 >Boiling 230 >Boiling 194 230 140 >140 230 203ps 122 104 203 167

0.2% Hydrochloric Acid >Boiling 203 1% Hydrochloric Acid 10% Sulfuric Acid 158 60% Sulfuric Acid 104 86 96% Sulfuric Acid 194 85% Phosphoric Acid 10% Nitric Acid >Boiling 221 65% Nitric Acid >Boiling 80% Acetic Acid 50% Formic Acid 158 275 50% Sodium Hydroxide 185 83% Phosphoric Acid + 2% Hydrofluoric Acid >140 60% Nitric Acid + 2% Hydrochloric Acid 50% Acetic Acid + 50% Acetic Anhydride >Boiling 1% Hydrochloric Acid + 0.3% Ferric Chloride >Boiling, p 149 10% Sulfuric Acid + 2000ppm Cl- + N2 167 10% Sulfuric Acid + 2000ppm Cl + SO2 203 WPA1, High Cl- Content 176 WPA2, High F- Content ps = pitting can occur ps = pitting/crevice corrosion can occur

>Boiling >Boiling 86 86p 122 <54 113 203 176 >Boiling >Boiling 212 212 >Boiling 212p 104 50 194 185 149 113 >140 >140 248 >Boiling 77p 68p 77 <<59p <<50 50 50 <<50

WPA
1 2

P2O5
54 54

Cl0.20 0.02

F0.50 2.0

H 2SO4
4.0 4.0

Fe2O3
0.30 0.30

Al2O3
0.20 0.20

SiO2
0.10 0.10

CaO
0.20 0.20

MgO
0.70 0.70

Isocorrosion Curves (4 mpy) in pure hydrofluoric acid

Figure 4

Isocorrosion Curves (4 mpy) in pure fluosilic acid

Figure 5

Type 654 SMO

Erosion Corrosion

Mechanical Properties

Table 8 68F

654 SMO possesses excellent resistance to erosion corrosion in seawater. This behavior is attributed both to its superior corrosion resistance and to its high surface hardening, which resists the effects of abrasive particles in the fluid.
Fabrication Design

0.2% Yield Strength, ksi Tensile Strength, ksi Elongation, in 2 inches, % Brinell Hardness Charpy V-notch Impact Strength, ft-lb

62 min 109 min 40 min 250 max 106 min

654 SMO is extremely strong, as shown in Table 8, but it still retains the very high ductility and toughness expected of an austenitic stainless steel. Minimum tensile properties for 654 SMO up to 750F are given in Table 9. It may be possible to use the high strength of 654 SMO for reducing the section thicknesses in practical equipment relative to those required for 316L, 904L, and even 254 SMO. Table 10 gives the allowable design stresses for 654 SMO in Section VIII, Division 1 construction in accordance with ASME Code Case 2195. 654 SMO should not be used above about 1100F because of the danger of precipitation of intermetallic phases and the consequent loss of corrosion resistance and ambient temperature toughness. However, 654 SMO can be used indefinitely at the moderate temperatures typically encountered in chemical processing and heat exchanger service. Table 11 lists some physical properties of 654 SMO as a function of temperature. It is anticipated that the high strength and corrosion resistance of 654 SMO will give excellent corrosion fatigue resistance. As shown in Table 12,

Tensile Properties at Elevated Temperatures

Temperature F
0.2% Yield Strength, ksi 1.0% Yield Strength, ksi Tensile Strength, ksi

Table 9

68
62 68 109

122 212 392 572 752

56 62 105 51 57 99 46 51 90 44 49 85 43 48 81

initial tests performed in air at 20 Hz indicate that 654 SMO is at least comparable with the duplex stainless steels.
Cold Forming

654 SMO possesses very good cold formability. Most common stainless steel forming methods can be used for cold forming 654 SMO. Because of the high strength and high work hardening rate for 654 SMO, fabricators will find that higher forming forces and increased allowance for spring back are necessary. However, the high ductility of 654 SMO has proven useful, as in the case of stamping of sharply formed heat exchanger plates from thin sheets of 654 SMO. The work hardening rate is quite rapid, as shown by the increase in strength as a function of cold working in Figure 6.

Maximum Allowable Stress Values, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1, 1999 Addenda, 3.5 Safety Factor
Grade 654 SMO
254 SMO 904L 316L 2205 Code Plus Two (S31803)

Table 10 800F 25.9

-20 to 100F 31.1

26.9 20.3 16.7

400F 28.5
24.3 13.8 15.7

500F 27.3
23.5 12.7 14.8

600F 26.6
23.0 11.9 14.0

650F 26.4
22.8 11.6 13.7

700F 26.3
22.7 11.4 13.5

750F 26.1
22.6 13.2

25.7

23.9

23.3

23.1

Type 654 SMO

Physical Properties
Temperature F
Modulus of Elasticity Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (68F to T) Thermal Conductivity Heat Capacity Electrical Resistivity Density Magnetic Permeability psi x 106 x10-6/F Btu/h ft F Btu/lbF -in x 10-6 lb/in3

Table 11 68
27 5.0 0.120 30.7 0.289 1.003

212
27 8.3 5.7 0.124 31.9

392
26 8.6 6.5 0.129 33.9

572
25 8.8 7.3 0.133 35.8

752
24 9.0 8.4 0.136 37.8

Hot Forming and Annealing

Welding

Hot working of 654 SMO should be carried out in the 2200F to 2000F range. Higher temperatures will reduce workability and may produce heavy scaling. To deal with intermetallic phases that may precipitate during the hot forming, it is necessary to anneal at a minimum of 2100F, followed by water quenching. Too slow a cooling rate may cause precipitation of intermetallic phases, reducing corrosion resistance.
Machining

The high strength, toughness, and work hardening of 654 SMO make machining of this grade substantially more difficult than that for the common austenitic grades. Powerful, rigid equipment, reduced speeds and feeds, and superior lubrication are necessary for machining 654 SMO. Practices for several types of machining as applied to 654 SMO are discussed in the separate data sheet, Machining of Type 654 SMO Austenitic Stainless Steel.
Fatigue Strength, ksi
Grade
654 SMO 3RE60 2205 Code Plus Two

654 SMO possesses good weldability and can be welded using the conventional welding methods applied to the common austenitic stainless steels. 654 SMO mill products are delivered with a homogeneous composition. Remelting of the parent metal, as may occur during welding without filler metal, may cause microscopic segregation of elements such as chromium, nickel, and especially molybdenum. This phenomenon occurs in all highly alloyed austenitic stainless steels, but becomes increasingly pronounced with the more highly alloyed grades. These variations may reduce the corrosion resistance of the weld. As a general
Mechanical Properties after Cold Working

Figure 6

Table 12 Mean Strength

41.6 41.2 37.7

Tensile Strength
143.1 104.1 103.6

Amplitude
34.1 33.9 30.5

Type 654 SMO

principle, 654 SMO should not be welded without filler metal unless the weld will be subsequently fully annealed. When the weld is not to be subsequently annealed, an overalloyed filler metal should be used. Because of the high corrosion resistance of 654 SMO, the degree of overalloying required is unusually high. The preferred filler metal, designated Outokumpu Stainless P16, is shown in Table 13. The following welding guidelines will ensure optimal corrosion resistance and mechanical properties in the as-welded condition. 1. Outokumpu Stainless P16 should be used in all welding methods. Autogenous welding should be avoided unless a subsequent full anneal is possible, or in certain limited circumstances after qualification of the resulting structure. 2. The geometry of the weld zone should be set up to establish full penetration of the filler metal with minimal dilution from the base metal. 3. For gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG), pure argon or argon mixed with 35% nitrogen should be used as the torch gas. If GTAW is used for autogenous welding, argon with 35% nitrogen should be used as the torch gas to obtain the best corrosion resistance. 4. For plasma arc welding (PAW), pure argon or argon mixed with 10% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen should be used as the plasma gas, whether the weld is made with filler or autogenously. The shielding gas should consist of argon mixed with 1020% nitrogen. 5. For backing gas, nitrogen mixed with 10% hydrogen should be used. The steel is sensitive to oxidation, so root purging should be performed with care. 6. When welding with filler metal by GTAW or PAW, the filler wire should be fed evenly and continuously to avoid variations in composition of the weld. 7. The arc should be struck in the prepared weld zone in order to avoid the point of autogenous welding, with its associated reduced corrosion resistance, outside of the weld. 8. The weld procedure should use low heat input, including small diameter wire, no weaving in

the horizontal position, low amperage, and thinner electrodes. 9. In multi-pass welding, the workpiece should be allowed to cool to approximately 212F before the next weld pass. 10. Pipe or crater cracking may occur on abrupt termination of welds, as with other austenitic stainless steels. Such defects can be removed by welding, or they can be substantially avoided by carefully terminating, by backstepping the electrode, and by lifting gently through the slag pool. 11. Heat treatment is not normally required after welding, provided that P16 filler has been used. 12. To obtain optimal corrosion resistance, post-weld cleaning should be thorough, preferably with abrasive cleaning followed by careful pickling. 13. Abrasive contact with copper/brass fixtures should be avoided because copper metal penetration into grain boundaries may cause cracking during welding. Additional details for the various welding methods are given in the brochure, How to Weld Type 654 SMO.
Welding Consumables

Our welding unit provides coated electrodes; wires for GTAW, GMAW, PAW, FCW, and SAW; and welding fluxes, all of which have been formulated to produce excellent results when welding 654 SMO. For these products, call our welding unit at 1-800-441-7343.
Welding Consumables
Outokumpu Stainless P16
Welding Wire Covered Electrode

Table 13 Mn
0.5 0.7

C max. Si
0.02 0.02 0.2 0.5

Cr
23 25

Ni

Mo

Bal. 16 Bal. 14

Cleaning and Passivation

654 SMO mill products are delivered with a surface that is cleaned, most frequently by pickling, to remove oxide, embedded iron, and other foreign material. It is essential for maximum corrosion

Type 654 SMO

resistance that this cleanliness be maintained or restored after handling and fabrication. A major source of surface contamination is iron transferred from handling equipment, shears, dies, work tables, or other metal equipment. In service this iron can corrode and initiate a pit. Other sources of contamination include slag entrapment in welds, weld spatter, heat tint, forming lubricants, dirt, or paint. To maximize the corrosion resistance of stainless steel fabrications, including those of 654 SMO, acid passivation should be used to remove surface contaminants. For 654 SMO the suggested practice is to immerse the piece in a solution of 2040% nitric acid in water for about 30 minutes at 120140F. Further guidelines for these procedures are given in ASTM A 380. If the surface of the steel is oxidized, it may be necessary to use mechanical cleaning or pickling to restore maximum corrosion resistance. Some further guidance is provided in the brochure, How to Weld Type 654 SMO .

Technical Support

Outokumpu Stainless, Inc. assists users and fabricators in the selection, installation, operation, and maintenance of 654 SMO austenitic stainless steel. Technical personnel, supported by the research laboratory of Outokumpu Stainless, can draw on years of field experience with 654 SMO to help you make the technically and economically correct materials decision. Outokumpu Stainless is prepared to discuss individual applications and to provide data and experience as a basis for selection and application of 654 SMO. Outokumpu Stainless works closely with its distributors to ensure timely availability of 654 SMO in the forms, sizes, and quantities required by the user. For assistance with technical questions, and to obtain top quality 654 SMO, please call Outokumpu Stainless, Inc. at 1-800-833-8703.

10 Type 654 SMO

Type 654 SMO 11

12 Type 654 SMO

1095EN, Schaumburg, USA. August 2004.

254 SMO and 654 SMO are trademarks of Outokumpu Stainless. 2205 Code Plus Two is a trademark of Outokumpu Stainless, Inc. Information given in this brochure may be subject to alteration without notice. Care has been taken to ensure that the contents of this publication are accurate, but Outokumpu Stainless and its subsidiary companies do not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Suggestions for or descriptions of the end use or application of products or methods of working are for information only and the company and its subsidiaries accept no liability in respect thereof. Before using products supplied or manufactured by the company, customers should satisfy themselves of their suitability. If further assistance is required, the company, which has extensive research facilities, will often be able to help.

Outokumpu Stainless is a core business within Outokumpu, a dynamic metals and technology group operating worldwide and marketing its metals, metal products, technology and services to customers in a wide range of industries.

Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., 425 North Martingale Road, Suite 1600, Schaumburg, IL 60173-2218 USA Tel. 1-800-833-8703 Fax 1-800-545-8617 stainless.info@outokumpu.com

Outokumpu Stainless

www.outokumpu.com/stainless/NA