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Valbruna Grade
MVAISLFR
Steel type
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Description of material
MVAISLFR is a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel with both good general corrosion and good intergranular corrosion resistance after welding processes. This grade is Ca-treated stainless steel obtained by a special steel making practice whose aim is a calculated and precise control of non-metallic inclusions. These inclusions are characterized by a particular morphology and lubricating properties, which are able to improve machinability. This results in lower tool wear and higher chip-breaking due to the formation of a layer between the tool and the chip.
Applications
MVAISLFR is suitable for the fabrication of many products as such flanges, valves, bolting, pumps shafts, food /beverages industry equipment , storage tanks, contact with many organic chemical and parts working in the mild medium corrosive environments.
Corrosion resistance
MVAISLFR is resistant to fresh water, many organic chemical and inorganic compounds, atmospheric corrosion, rural applications and sterilizing solution where the chloride level is very low. Pitting and crevice corrosion may occur in chloride environments if concentration, pH and temperature are at determinate levels. As with other standard austenitic grades, MVAISLFR suffers from stress corrosion cracking about forty degrees ( C°) above room temperature and above certain levels of stress and halogen concentration. Strain hardened structures increase the risk of stress corrosion cracking. It should be noted that this grade, as for every kind of stainless steel, surfaces should be free of contaminant and scale, heat tint, and passivated for optimum resistance to corrosion.
Cold working
MVAISLFR is readily fabricated by cold working such as cold drawing and bending and allows a moderate amount of cold heading thanks to its Nickel content. Its structure after cold deformation is less hard than MVAISL. If heavy cold heading performance is required, Valbruna produces other grades for this purpose, such as AISR or AISRUH, whose chemical balance provide the highest cold deformability and the lowest CWHF. These grades have a poor machinability due to a low Sulfur content. Only MVAISRU (with Copper and Sulfur) could be used for severe cold heading. The experience is that this grade is required for its highest machinability and low strain hardening properties.
Machinability
MVAISLFR is not a Free Machining grade (FM) but rather an alloy with enhanced machinability characteristics. In terms of machinability, MVAISLFR stands between an intermediate position between standard and Free Machined grades but cannot compete with FM (such as AISI 303, EN 1.4305). MVAISLFR offers a lot of advantages in terms of productivity when compared to standard grades. The best performance are obtained when employing the correct machining parameters while using multi - spindle and automatic screw machines. However, Machinists should know that Austenitic grades are different from Ferritic and Alloy steels and require more rigid and powerful machines in addition to the correct choice of tools, coating and cutting fluids. The Austenite structure is prone to transform in to α’Martensite caused by strain hardening of the tool on the surface of the work piece. Even if MVAISLFR has a hardening factor lower than MVAISL, the knowledge of this behavior must be correctly considered when a piece requires two or several cutting steps to be finished. The layer of α’Martensite is very hard and, if the subsequent turning or milling processes work on this hardened layer, a rapid tool wear could happen. The tool must work under this layer. MVAISLFR shouldn’t be used for high polishability or mirror finishing processes.
Weldability
MVAISLFR has a different behavior when compared to standard grades of similar alloy composition due to its special steel making process. Its Calcium –treated process influences the surface tension of liquid and the regular morphology and geometry of the fused (weld) zone. Using the correct filler may reduce or overcome the difficulties of geometry. MVAISLFR has a special chemical composition which helps to avoid solidification cracks in the fused-zone of autogenous welds due to a special Ferrite balance. In solid state joining such as Friction Welding, MVAISLFR may not provide a quality bond line.
Hot working
MVAISLFR is not specifically designed for hot working and is usually supplied as cold finished round, hexagonal, flat and square bars for machining processes. If a suitable level of machinability is desired on forged pieces (such as flanges, rolled rings, closed - die forgings) a special grade similar to MVAISLDE can be supplied. Valbruna produces a group of grades with different process and with a lower Ferrite. However, for the open die forging of large ingots and shapes, MVAISLFR has a good hot plasticity if suitable soaking and the right temperature are applied. No preheating is required. Small forgings can be cooled rapidly in air or water.
Designations
AISI | 304 / 304L |
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W.N. | 1.4301 / 1.4307 |
UNS | S30400 / S30403 |
EN | X5CrNi18-10 / X2CrNi18-9 |
BS | 304S15 |