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The materials used to manufacture an industrial fan, whether stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel or polypropylene, will hugely affect the versatility and uses of that particular fan. The materials of construction used in a centrifugal or axial fan affect weight, hygiene, maintenance, longevity, and appearance. For corrosive environments and those within the food industry we offer a range of suitable materials including polypropylene and 304 or 316 stainless steels.
How is Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistant?
Stainless steel has built in corrosion resistance due to the amount of chromium present in its composition. Stainless contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium, this chromium reacts with the surrounding oxygen very quickly and forms a thin oxide layer on the steels surface. The chromium oxide clings to the steel and acts as a protective barrier. The oxide is known as a passive film which seals the iron in the alloy, away from the air and water In the environment. This gives the stainless steel its rust resistance. Stainless steel can rust in certain conditions such as specific chemicals or grease – the exact reason we ask so many questions to determine if a polypropylene corrosion resistant fan is more suitable.
Should Stainless Steel be Internal Parts Only or The Entire Fan?
For stainless steel manufactured centrifugal fans, we’re versatile in our offers. Customers can choose to have only the internal parts in stainless steel – ideal when only the parts carrying corrosive air or in the airstream, need to be enhanced, or you could choose to have the entire fan – the casing and internal parts – manufactured from stainless steel, ideal when the outer parts of the fan will be situated in the corrosive air. Internal only – when only the parts exposed to the chemically corrosive air need enhancing Entire Fan – when all parts of the fan will be exposed to the chemically corrosive air.
ATEX Stainless Steel Fans
Whatever the application, our 304 stainless-steel corrosive resistant fans are suitable for high operating temperatures, contaminants, or chemicals and even zone 1 ATEX variants for explosive atmospheres. Axair will always ensure to provide you with a fan in the most suitable construction materials. Axair supply ATEX fans suitable for zone 1 and 2 applications inline with the current ATEX Directive and as dictated in the legislation, fan selections will be made in line with DSEAR inspection ATEX gas and dust zones and temperature ratings based on the end user’s specification.
Starch powder, like many food-based powders used in the food processing industry, has the potential to be explosive. The conductive and combustible nature of the powders or grains used in the process means that there is a risk of catastrophic explosion, as even a small explosion could cause more powder to become air born and in turn ignite. Following a full site survey undertaken by a risk assessor, Axair were invited to visit a site and make recommendations for explosion proof fans to be used in the drying and preparation rooms of the customer’s products. Read the full ATEX fan case study here.
304 stainless steel is a corrosive resistant metal that offers low maintenance while withstanding high temperatures. It’s robust and easy to clean making it ideal for intensive cleaning cycles. Particularly where plastic fans may be less suitable due to their size or inability to reach a particular airflow or pressure duty. Which Industrial Fans are Offered in Stainless Steel Stainless steel is available in our medium pressure and high-pressure collection of Casals industrial fans with the exclusion of a few ranges including the MA, MB, MBC, AA, AA P/R MBRC, MB P/R, and MA P/R. For smaller corrosion resistant duties in the applications of moving corrosive air effectively, we have an extensive range of polypropylene corrosion resistant fans with an impressive ATEX zone 2 offering. View the fan selection software from Casals to view fan datasheets.
Axair's lead times are of the most competitive in the industry given the current issues in the UK market. Bespoke stainless-steel items will always have a slightly extended lead times due to their nature of not being held in stock. This is standard across all fan manufacturers, and we’ll always be competitive on both price and lead time when delivering quotes for bespoke items.
Axair offer a standard or electropolished finish on all of our 304 or 316 stainless steel industrial fans for use in corrosive air or food processing applications. Some customers prefer the aesthetic look of a polished stainless-steel finish while others want a product suitable for purpose without the need to look so polished.
Contact Axair's industrial team on 01782 349 430 or email sales@axair-fans.co.uk to start your enquiry. Alternatively download our latest literature from the downloads section on our website.
For more information on Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel Fans – Robust & Hygienic talk to Axair Fans UK Ltd