I know Sandvik and Avesta since 1977. In those days, I worked for a company called Natron Engenharia and I was the project engineer for the design of a phosphoric acid plant in Brazil, which we did under license from Badger America Inc., of Tampa, FL.
When it came to chose the materials of construction, the Brazilian subsidiary of Sandvik was very helpful to us. They gave us every possible assistance to chose the right material. Few industries (if any) are as corrosive as phosphoric acid.
You're right that they're sister companies. In fact, Sandvik people told me, when they imported a given material (Sanicro 28, for example), they didn't know for sure whether it was actually that material or 254 SLX made by Avesta.
By the way, does someone know whether Badger America Inc. of Tampa, FL, is still in business? I've tried to find out their site on the Internet with no success.
Giovanni S. Crisi