Developments in the use of stainless steels for pumps and valves

Developments in the use of stainless steels mainly by the marine and oil and gas sectors over the last 20 years are reviewed. The forces that drove the development of the high alloy austenitic and duplex stainless steels are described. The combination of properties that resulted in superduplex stainless steel becoming a preferred alloy for pumps and valves is discussed. Problems with the materials and their incorporation into existing systems are discussed and some new material developments are reviewed with an assessment of their suitability for pumps and valves in the offshore market.