Hastelloy

Hastelloy, Stellite, Monel, and Waspaloy are not as common as Inconel 718, but when a job comes in requiring one of them, the parameters that work for standard steel will not work at all. These materials combine work-hardening, abrasiveness, and low thermal conductivity in ways that punish mistakes. Here is what I have learned about drilling each one. Common Characteristics of Exotic Alloys All four of these materials share properties that make deep hole drilling difficult: ...

Chemical processing equipment operates in aggressive environments. Reactors, heat exchangers, columns, and piping must withstand corrosive chemicals at high temperatures and pressures. The deep hole drilling work in this industry centers on components made from corrosion-resistant alloys. I have drilled components for chemical plants producing fertilizers, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The material grades and quality requirements vary by application, but the common thread is corrosion resistance. The tube sheet drilling described here builds on general heat exchanger tube sheet drilling with additional considerations for corrosion-resistant alloys. ...