TPi May 2014

business & market news

New steel grade ASME certified The new ferritic steel grade VM12- SHC, developed by Vallourec, has been certified by ASME (Code Case 2781). VM12-SHC has already been used for many years in European design for modern high temperature power plants and heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), and can now be used for all ASME design. made from this grade for extremely corrosive steam-carrying pipes for high-temperature applications up to 620°C. According to Vallourec, the steel’s special chemical composition puts it in a performance class unparalleled in its category in terms of creep strength and resistance to steam oxidation.

One of the most important criteria relevant to a material’s suitability for a given application is its processing behaviour, notably in terms of cold bending properties and weldability. In this particular area, VM12-SHC passed all of the standardised tests (eg creep tests, creep rupture tests on tube bends and stress crack detection after welding). VM12-SHC is produced at European Vallourec locations. Tubes in the new steel grade are available heat-treated and with wall thicknesses of up to 12mm.

The ASME certification procedures provided an opportunity for VM12-SHC to demonstrate its behaviour under the obligatory tests and checks. As shown by the test results, the steel combines excellent mechanical and physical properties with an oxidation resistance comparable to that of the austenitic steel grade TP347FG and surpassing those of steel grades T91 and T92.

Vallourec states that the product is optimally suited for replacing grade X20CrMoV11-1 superheater pipes in existing power plants. VM12-SHC extends Vallourec’s range of ferritic seamless steel tubes for power plants. The letters ‘SHC’ refer to one of the new steel’s key properties: super high corrosion resistant, they qualify tubes

Vallourec Deutschland GmbH – Germany www.vallourec.com German supplier to manufacture in USA

new facility a logical choice. “There were several reasons why we wanted to remain in the greater Grand Rapids area, but one of the main reasons is the excellent talent base here. Companies are built on people and, whether you are looking for an experienced veteran of industry or a fresh graduate from one of our ranking high schools, colleges, or universities, outstanding people can be found here.” Rattunde & Co GmbH – Germany acs@rattunde-co.de www.rattunde-co.de

facility will also house a technical centre with a machine on-site at all times for demonstration and training. Future plans call for an expansion of the building to over 100,000ft 2 , enabling Rattunde to produce its entire finished length tube and solid bar production systems there. This decision was reached after analysis of the current and anticipated business needs of the company. According to Rattunde Corporation president Richard Stadler, growth of the company into diverse markets throughout North America made the

Rattunde, a Germany-based manu- facturer of finished length tube and solid bar production systems, has been operating in the North American market for over seven years. The company is building a 30,000ft 2 facility near its current location in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The plant will continue to house the North American sales and service operations and will allow for expanded spare parts inventory and manufacturing operations, including the production of tooling and various machine components. The new

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Tube Products International May 2014

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