Anyang Iron and Steel has completed the first rolling of S38926 (Alloy 926) super‑austenitic stainless steel on its 1780 hot‑strip rolling line, achieving qualified plate shape and surface quality. This marks a new breakthrough in China’s rolling technology for high‑alloy stainless steel and provides a brand‑new raw‑material option for high‑end special‑shaped stainless steel profiles used in chemical and marine engineering sectors.

              As a 6Mo‑grade super‑austenitic stainless steel, S38926 contains high proportions of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen. It delivers outstanding resistance to chloride‑ion pitting and crevice corrosion, with corrosion‑resistance performance close to nickel‑base alloys, enabling long‑term service under harsh high‑salinity and acidic working conditions. It is a key special material for major equipment manufacturing. Featuring a narrow thermoplastic range and high high‑temperature deformation resistance, this grade requires stringent precision control over temperature and reduction during rolling, presenting substantial technical barriers. The successful trial rolling realizes the domestic production of hot‑rolled plates of this grade.

             In the industrial chain, hot‑rolled plates serve as core blanks for manufacturing special‑shaped stainless steel profiles via cold bending and drawing. Leveraging S38926’s favourable cold‑working and welding performance, downstream deep‑processing enterprises can develop various non‑standard special‑shaped steel sections, special frames and profile components for seawater‑desalination facilities, flue‑gas desulphurization equipment, offshore chemical platforms and other heavily corrosive scenarios. It addresses the service‑life limitations of conventional 316L and duplex‑steel profiles under extreme corrosive conditions.

               Industry insiders note growing market divergence in China’s special‑shaped stainless‑steel profile sector. While standard‑specification products face fierce competition, demand for corrosion‑resistant custom‑made profiles keeps rising from marine chemical and environmental‑protection equipment industries. Previously, blanks of S38926 mostly relied on imports with long lead times and high costs, restricting domestic profile manufacturers from securing high‑end domestic and export orders. Domestic rolling capacity enriches the material portfolio for premium special‑shaped profiles, reduces supply‑chain external dependency, and empowers local manufacturers to compete in global high‑end markets.

              Nevertheless, industry experts remind that S38926 carries much higher raw‑material costs than conventional stainless steels. Profile producers shall select materials based on actual service conditions. With expanding domestic supply, this grade is expected to gain higher adoption among high‑end non‑standard profiles and drive the stainless‑steel deep‑processing industry toward higher‑value‑added development.