Inconel Fasteners vs Monel Fasteners: Material Comparison Guide

Alloy 20 plates, as far as the resources aimed at the most challenging industrial conditions are concerned, are in a class of their own. Officially known as UNS N08020 and produced in accordance with the ASTM B463, this super austenitic stainless steel is a convenient material to resort to in industries that cannot afford to lose out on mechanical durability or corrosion resistance. This alloy has excellent protection in harsh chemical environments due to the high concentration of nickel, chromium and molybdenum. Of the many types of this alloy, the plate and sheet type is the most widely utilized – and to this end; we have divided everything you should know about  Alloy 20 Sheet & Plate products.

What is Alloy 20 Plate?

Alloy 20 Plate also known as UNS N08020 is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy designed to provide effective corrosion resistance in both acidic and alkaline service environments. It has an outstanding ability to resist stress corrosion cracking especially in hot sulfurous acid conditions- one of the hardest environments experienced in the chemical processing industry. The Cr content in this alloy is such that it serves as a natural impediment against the degradation of the alloy by strong acids, and the inclusion of molybdenum and nitrogen are very useful in enhancing resistance to pitting. In accordance with the ASTM B463 standard,  Alloy 20 plates  maintain their mechanical integrity at temperatures of up to 1000degF and this makes them a good material of use in pressure and temperature sensitive equipment.

Properties of Alloy 20 Plate

The presence of the following performance characteristics makes UNS N08020 one of the most reliable materials in the industrial application nowadays. This alloy is very resistant to pitting, crevice corrosion and chemical attack of sulfuric acid, one of the most corrosive compounds that are experienced during industrial processing due to its high combined nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content. Alloy 20 Sheet & Plate has a high level of resistance to stress corrosion cracks caused by chlorides and this is one of the main factors contributing to its popularity in the chemical processing industry. Its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance characteristics make it unique compared to regular grades of stainless steel. When comparing the performance of high-alloy materials against each other, we have a detailed blog on 904L vs 316L Stainless Steel that discusses similar performance trade-off behavior between austenitic alloy families.

 Uses of Alloy 20 Plate

The use of alloy 20 plates is wide. These plates are also used in the chemical processing industry as a construction material that is reliable in connection with the processing of sulfuric acid and other corrosive reagents. They cannot be degraded in acid-heavy conditions and this is why they are unavoidable in vessels, tanks, heat exchangers and piping systems. In addition to chemical processing, Alloy 20 (UNS N08020) has found extensive use in the pharmaceutical industry, in food processing equipment, and in the pulp and paper industry – where corrosion product contamination is inadmissible, and long life is important.

Another important fact is that when you need very corrosion-resistant piping connections to be made and these plates, it is worth knowing what your fastening opportunities are. The information offered in our guide to Socket Weld Fittings gives an excellent background when it comes to engineers working out how to create leak-proof, high-pressure systems.

Advantages of Alloy 20 Sheet Plates

Alloy 20 Sheet & Plate products are often referred to as a superalloy; this is because of a combination of superior properties, which no other conventional material could match. This is the reason why industries around the world still use UNS N08020 plates:

• Corrosion Resistance: Alloy 20 is a super alloy grade of material which is intrinsically resistant to a vast array of aggressive service environments. It works well under high temperatures where chloride ions and acids coexist in the same environment, which would easily destroy the traditional stainless steels.
• Cost Effectiveness: ASTMAB463 Alloy 20 plates are relatively cheap in comparison to other alloys with high-performance. Considering that they will have a long service life and that they can be used in harsh operating environments, they will be cost-effective to invest in the long-term.
• Structural Robustness: Alloy 20 sheet plates are some of the strongest products in the market of similar products. They are excellent in terms of toughness and tensile strength meaning that they can be used in both structural and process demanding applications.
• Weldability: These plates can be used in tricky welding duties and that is why they are the favorite among fabricators worldwide. The material does not lose its structural integrity in the course of welding and has no excessive clog to the exterior surfaces. Notably, welding of UNS N08020 does not require the use of highly specialized skills and hence fabrication is more economical and fast.
• Adaptability: Alloy 20 plates are adaptable to different work conditions and climatic conditions. They can be used in both acidic and alkaline environments or even in high temperatures and their performance is constant and predictable.
• Versatility: The ASTM B463 Alloy 20 plates are versatile and can be shaped into a vast variety of industrial products and assemblies, which assist in the support of many varieties of products in different industries.

Fabrication of Alloy 20 Plate

Alloy 20 plates conforming to ASTM B463 can be easily fabricated to suit the exact requirements of the applications. It is an easy method to join it with industry standard methods like TIG and MIG welding. Hot or cold working can also be used to make these plates, and can be machined in their entirety. With that said, the alloy is very strong and tough and thus; it is necessary to pay close attention during machining processes to avoid damaging tooling and prevent the work hardening of the material surface. It is advised that an appropriate choice of tools and regulated cutting speeds are used in order to achieve optimal results.

Maintenance of Alloy 20 Plate

Among the practical benefits of UNS N08020, there is that it requires minimum maintenance. Routine maintenance is normally performed using simple cleaning materials such as mild detergents and warm water. In case of localized corrosion, the situation will be confined and addressed with the help of the necessary chemical agents. A periodic inspection schedule is suggested to detect the onset of surface corrosion, physical deformation, or material wear in good time – to make sure Alloy 20 Sheet & Plate installations provide the full service life that they are designed to give.

How to Source Alloy 20 Plate from Kalpataru Piping

When buying the right alloy 20 plates in your project, it is important to consider a number of factors. First, ensure that the material is within the ASTM B463 specification and the UNS N08020 designation that is needed in your proposed application. Second, determine the size of the plate in thickness, width, and length, which your project requires. And last but not the least, have reliable Alloy 20 plate suppliers that can supply certified material that can be traced to international standards. At Kalpataru Piping, we have ASTM B463 UNS N08020 plates with full mill test certification and third-party inspection support and guarantee that you get a material that satisfies all specification requirements at the very beginning.

Kalpataru Piping offers a complete range of Alloy 20 products in the form of pipes, fittings, flanges, and others produced of this superior superalloy and at competitive prices and within a short time.