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- Why Stainless Steel Tanks?
Why Stainless Steel Tanks?
- By Felix Chesterfield
- Published 04/22/2012
- Unrated
Felix Chesterfield
By Felix Chesterfield; Please contact for more information on Stainless Steel Tanks or other Process Equipment options.
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Choosing the right tank for your processing needs is not a decision without options. Some of the choices include stainless steel tanks, alloy tanks, steel tanks, fiberglass tanks, glass lined tanks, lined tanks, poly tanks, and many others. Each option offers its own advantages and drawbacks for specific tasks. This can range from performance to longevity to cost, but making the decision for which type of tank best suits your needs will most likely be a balancing of pros and cons on the part of the purchaser. What situations lend themselves best for stainless steel tanks?
Stainless steel is a bit of a misnomer – it does in fact stain. It would be more apt to call it stain resistant as opposed to stain proof or stainless. It is also much more resistant to corrosion or rust compared to ordinary steel. This makes it an attractive option for use in any industry that uses corrosive or acidic materials that wear through their typical tanks and equipment in a short period of time. Stainless steel tanks offer a relatively low cost low maintenance option for the processing industry. Truth be told, no type of steel will hold out indefinitely against rough materials, but stainless steel tanks will last longer than a typical tank if this is something that the user has experienced. Another advantage, for those who enjoy working green, is that stainless steel is almost completely recyclable. Whatever the use for it may be, it can easily be scrapped and reused in a different function should the need arise.
Most people do
not realize the variety available within stainless steel. As opposed to being a single product, it is better defined as a category of steel that contains a number of different varieties. There are three primary types of stainless steel. These are austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic. These each differ in their microstructures. Austenitic is named for its austenite crystal phase. It is famous for its toughness, low temperature resistance (used often in colder climate), easy maintenance, and its forming and welding capabilities. Ferritic is named for containing ferrite in its primary crystal phase, along with high levels of iron and chromium. This steel is well known for its high resistance to acids and ability to be formed easily into decorative shapes and sizes. It is used extensively in the auto industry. Martensite makes up the primary crystal phase for martensitic steel. This is a less durable and more brittle version of stainless steel. It is used extensively for smaller products, such as nuts, bolts, and wire manufacturing. There are other types of stainless steel, but these three are easily the most common.
Stainless steel tanks are a staple of any modern facility involved in the processing industry. In addition to standard processing, they are also used widely with pharmaceuticals, bio-chemical reactors, holding tanks, storing vaccines, and general storage. As previously mentioned, stainless steel tanks offer durability, quality, and longevity at a less than premium price. Depending on the brand, they may not represent the absolute highest quality available, but they do offer a balance between quality and cost that is tough to beat.
Stainless steel is a bit of a misnomer – it does in fact stain. It would be more apt to call it stain resistant as opposed to stain proof or stainless. It is also much more resistant to corrosion or rust compared to ordinary steel. This makes it an attractive option for use in any industry that uses corrosive or acidic materials that wear through their typical tanks and equipment in a short period of time. Stainless steel tanks offer a relatively low cost low maintenance option for the processing industry. Truth be told, no type of steel will hold out indefinitely against rough materials, but stainless steel tanks will last longer than a typical tank if this is something that the user has experienced. Another advantage, for those who enjoy working green, is that stainless steel is almost completely recyclable. Whatever the use for it may be, it can easily be scrapped and reused in a different function should the need arise.
Most people do
Stainless steel tanks are a staple of any modern facility involved in the processing industry. In addition to standard processing, they are also used widely with pharmaceuticals, bio-chemical reactors, holding tanks, storing vaccines, and general storage. As previously mentioned, stainless steel tanks offer durability, quality, and longevity at a less than premium price. Depending on the brand, they may not represent the absolute highest quality available, but they do offer a balance between quality and cost that is tough to beat.
