From 2001 to 2007, nickel prices rose from an average of US$5945 to US$37,216. Nickel is a key constituent of 316L stainless steel. This, combined with increases in some of the other constituents of the 316L alloy, prompted Xstrata Technology (by then the marketing organisation for the Isa Process technology) to seek an alternative material for the cathode plates.
Xstrata Technology personnel investigated the use of a new low-alloyed duplex stainless steel, LDX 2101 and 304L stainless steel. The LDX 2101 contains 1.5% nickel compared to 10–14% in 316L stainless steel.
LDX 2101 has superior mechanical strength to the 316L stainless steel, allowing thinner sheets to be used for the cathode plates. However, the flatness tolerance of commercially available LDX 2101 steel did not meet the required specifications. Xstrata Technology worked with a manufacturer to produce sheets that did meet the required flatness tolerance.
Xstrata Technology also had to develop a finish that allowed the surface to function in the same way as 316L.
Cathode plates using LDX 2010 have equivalent corrosion resistance to 316L plates.
The LDX 2101 alloy provides an alternative to the 316L stainless steel, with the selection depending on relatively prices of the various steels.