S32520 is a copper- and nitrogen-bearing super duplex stainless steel of the 25Cr family, closely related to S32550 but with higher nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen. This datasheet presents the material within the American standard system.
With about 25% chromium, 6.5% nickel, 3.5% molybdenum, copper and a high nitrogen addition (0.20-0.35%), S32520 has a PREN typically above 41, giving outstanding resistance to chloride pitting, crevice corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking. The combination of copper and nitrogen gives both reducing-acid resistance and high strength.
Typical applications include seawater systems, oil-and-gas subsea and downhole equipment, desalination plant, and chemical-process equipment in chloride and acid service.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.8 | g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1350-1400 | °C |
| Young's modulus (20 °C) | 210 | GPa |
| Thermal conductivity (20 °C) | 14 | W/m·K |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (20-100 °C) | 12 | µm/m·°C |
| Specific heat (20 °C) | 490 | J/kg·K |
| Magnetic response | Ferromagnetic (duplex) | — |
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Role in Alloy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Fe | Balance | — | Base element |
| Chromium | Cr | 24.0 | 26.0 | Ferrite former; corrosion resistance |
| Nickel | Ni | 5.5 | 8.0 | Austenite former; phase balance |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 3.0 | 5.0 | Pitting + crevice resistance |
| Copper | Cu | 0.50 | 3.0 | Reducing-acid resistance |
| Nitrogen | N | 0.20 | 0.35 | Austenite former; strength; pitting |
| Manganese | Mn | — | 1.5 | Deoxidiser |
| Silicon | Si | — | 0.80 | Deoxidiser |
| Carbon | C | — | 0.030 | Low (intergranular resistance) |
| Phosphorus | P | — | 0.035 | Residual impurity |
| Sulphur | S | — | 0.020 | Residual impurity |
Solution-annealed condition, per ASTM A240 for UNS S32520.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | >=770 | MPa |
| 0.2% yield strength | >=550 | MPa |
| Elongation at break | >=25 | % |
| Brinell hardness | <=310 | HB |
| Rockwell hardness | <=32 | HRC |
Confirm against the mill test report.
| Environment | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chloride pitting | Outstanding | PREN >41 |
| Crevice corrosion | Outstanding | High Cr + Mo + N |
| Chloride SCC | Excellent | Duplex structure |
| Reducing acids | Excellent | Copper addition |
| Seawater | Excellent | Warm chlorinated seawater |
| Sulphide / sour | Good | Listed in NACE MR0175 |
Not hardenable by heat treatment; properties are set by solution annealing and phase balance.
Solution Anneal approximately 1080-1120 °C, followed by rapid water quench to retain the balanced ferrite-austenite structure. Rapid cooling is critical owing to the high alloy content. Avoid prolonged exposure in the 300-1000 °C range (sigma-phase / 475 °C embrittlement).
Weldable by common fusion methods; use a matching or over-alloyed super-duplex filler and control heat input to maintain phase balance.
| Process | Applicability | Filler / Consumable |
|---|---|---|
| GTAW / TIG | Good | Matching super-duplex filler |
| GMAW / MIG | Good | Super-duplex filler |
| SMAW / stick | Good | Matching super-duplex electrode |
No preheat; control interpass temperature and heat input.
Machining Guidelines
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Machinability | Difficult; high strength + work-hardening; rigid setup, carbide tools, low speeds |
| Work hardening | High rate; positive feeds, avoid dwelling |
| Coolant | Ample flood coolant |
Forming Processes
| Process | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hot forming | ~1200-1000 °C; solution anneal + quench afterward |
| Cold forming | Higher forces than standard duplex (very high strength) |
| Industry | Typical Components | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Marine / seawater | Pumps, valves, seawater systems | Warm chloride resistance |
| Oil & gas | Subsea, downhole equipment | Pitting + sour-service resistance |
| Chemical processing | Acid equipment | Reducing-acid resistance (Cu) |
| Desalination | Heat exchangers, piping | Hot chloride resistance |
| Product Form | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plate, sheet and strip | ASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 · UNS S32520 | — |
| Forgings / fittings | ASTM A182 · UNS S32520 | — |
| Bar and shapes | ASTM A276 / A479 · UNS S32520 | — |
| Seamless / welded tube | ASTM A789 · UNS S32520 | — |
| Seamless / welded pipe | ASTM A790 · UNS S32520 | — |
| Sour service | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 | Acid-gas applications |
Copper/nitrogen-bearing 25Cr super duplex stainless steel. UNS S32520.
| UNS | Cr % | Ni % | Mo % | Cu % | N % | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S32520 | 24-26 | 5.5-8.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 0.5-3.0 | 0.20-0.35 | Cu/N super duplex; acids + seawater |
| S32550 | 24-27 | 4.5-6.5 | 2.9-3.9 | 1.5-2.5 | 0.10-0.25 | Cu-bearing super duplex |
| S32506 | 24-26 | 5.5-7.2 | 3.0-3.5 | — | 0.08-0.20 | W-bearing duplex (low Cu) |
| S32750 | 24-26 | 6.0-8.0 | 3.0-5.0 | — | 0.24-0.32 | Super duplex (no Cu) |
| S32205 | 22-23 | 4.5-6.5 | 3.0-3.5 | — | 0.14-0.20 | Standard duplex |




