What is Z3CT12?

Z3CT12 is a cast stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and high temperature strength, suitable for occasions working in high temperature and corrosive environments. The chemical composition, physical properties, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, heat treatment and application fields of Z3CT12 stainless steel will be introduced in detail below.

What is the chemical composition of Z3CT12?

The chemical composition of Z3CT12 stainless steel is as follows:

Chromium (Cr): 11.0-13.5%

Nickel (Ni): 2.0-3.0%

Molybdenum (Mo): 0.75-1.25%

Copper (Cu): 0.75-1.25%

Manganese (Mn): 1.0% or less

Silicon (Si): 1.0% or less

Phosphorus (P): 0.04% or less

Sulfur (S): less than 0.03%

Carbon (C): 0.06% or less

Nitrogen (N): 0.02% or less

What are the physical properties of Z3CT12?

Density: 7.7 g/cm³

Melting point: 1398-1420°C

Coefficient of thermal expansion: 15.5×10^-6/K

Thermal conductivity: 15.0 W/(m·K)

Specific heat capacity: 500 J/(kg K)

Resistivity: 0.75 Ω·mm²/m

What are the mechanical properties of Z3CT12?

Tensile strength: ≥520 MPa

Yield strength: ≥205 MPa

Elongation: ≥35%

Hardness (HB): ≤187

What are the advantages of Z3CT12?

Good corrosion resistance: Z3CT12 contains a high proportion of chromium and molybdenum, which can effectively resist the corrosion of general acids and alkalis, especially under high temperature and high pressure conditions, its corrosion resistance is more prominent.

Strong oxidation resistance: Z3CT12 has good oxidation resistance at high temperature, which can effectively prevent oxidation and corrosion and prolong the service life.

Good high temperature resistance: Z3CT12 has good strength and hardness at high temperature, and can withstand extreme conditions at high temperature, such as high temperature corrosion and high temperature oxidation.

Good machinability: Z3CT12 steel has good machinability, and can be conveniently processed such as forming, welding, and cutting.

What are the disadvantages of Z3CT12?

Expensive: Z3CT12 steel is mainly made of precious metals such as nickel and molybdenum, so the price is relatively high and the cost is high.

Low temperature brittleness: Z3CT12 steel is prone to brittleness at low temperature, and is prone to defects such as fracture or cracking.

Difficulty in welding: Z3CT12 steel has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal stress, so problems such as deformation and cracks are prone to occur during the welding process.

High operating requirements: Since Z3CT12 steel contains a certain proportion of elements such as molybdenum and titanium, strict measures and technical requirements need to be taken during the manufacturing and processing process to ensure the quality and performance of the material.

Generally speaking, Z3CT12 steel has excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength, and is an important high-temperature alloy steel, but it is expensive and difficult to operate, requiring strict control and management.

How is Z3CT12 heat treated ?

The high temperature strength and corrosion resistance of Z3CT12 steel mainly depend on its special microstructure, so heat treatment has a great influence on the performance of Z3CT12 steel. Two heat treatment processes, solution annealing and aging treatment, are usually used.

Solution annealing: The solution annealing temperature of Z3CT12 steel is generally between 1050°C and 1150°C, and the holding time varies according to the plate thickness and material, usually 14 hours. This process can evenly dissolve alloying elements in grain boundaries and grains, thereby improving the plasticity and toughness of steel, while eliminating internal stress and structural defects.

Aging treatment: The aging temperature of Z3CT12 steel is generally between 650°C and 700°C, and the holding time varies according to the plate thickness and material, usually 26 hours. This process can increase the strength and hardness of the steel on the basis of solution annealing, and improve its high temperature stability and corrosion resistance. Aging treatment usually needs to be carried out several times to further improve the properties of the steel. 

It should be noted that the heat treatment process of Z3CT12 steel needs to be carried out under strict control conditions to ensure the quality and performance of the material. During the heat treatment process, parameters such as temperature, holding time and cooling rate need to be controlled, and necessary inspection and quality control should be carried out to ensure that the heat treatment effect meets the requirements.

What are the uses of Z3CT12?

Z3CT12 steel has high corrosion resistance and high temperature strength, so it is widely used in various fields requiring high temperature and corrosion performance. The following are the main uses of Z3CT12 steel:

Chemical industry: Z3CT12 steel is widely used in the chemical industry to manufacture reactors, distillation towers, heat exchangers, storage tanks and other equipment, as well as fittings such as pipes and valves. These devices usually work in high temperature and corrosive environments, and need to have excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature strength.

Oil and natural gas industry: Z3CT12 steel is used in the oil and natural gas industry to manufacture equipment and pipelines such as oil well casings, oil pipes, oil and gas separators, distillers, and hydrogenation reactors. These equipment and pipelines need to have good corrosion resistance and high temperature strength to adapt to extreme working environments and high pressure and high temperature conditions.

Food and pharmaceutical industry: Z3CT12 steel is used in the food and pharmaceutical industry to manufacture various containers, pipes, valves and other equipment and accessories, as well as to manufacture medical devices and artificial organs. These devices need to have excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature stability to ensure product quality and safety. 

Aerospace industry: Z3CT12 steel is used in the aerospace industry to manufacture high-temperature components such as engines and gas turbines, as well as turbine blades, turbine disks, and turbine shells. These components need to have excellent high temperature strength and corrosion resistance to ensure the safety and reliability of engines and gas turbines.