Duplex stainless steel is a unique family of stainless steels that combines the best properties of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels. The term “duplex” signifies the dual-phase microstructure that contains approximately equal parts of ferrite and austenite. This balanced structure grants duplex stainless steels exceptional mechanical strength and impressive corrosion resistance, particularly against stress corrosion cracking and chloride pitting, which can affect standard austenitic stainless steels.