August 27, 2018
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A PRIMER ON STAINLESS STEEL
Before we weigh the benefits of stainless steel enclosures, it helps to have a general overview of this specific enclosure material. The last thing you want is to decide upon a stainless steel enclosure and end up choosing the wrong grade, which could result in a rusted enclosure.Stainless steel is a steel alloy which consists of a minimum of 10.5 percent chromium. It comes in many different grades and it’s important that design engineers understand which grade they need for their specific application.
According to the Nickel Institute, there are at least 50 grades of stainless steel. However, most design engineers will only need to consider grade 304 and 316 for their stainless steel enclosures.
304 Stainless Steel
Grade 304 stainless steel is the most widely and commonly used grade in the industrial industry. Durable and long-lasting, 304 stainless steel is also the most economical choice for design engineers.This grade is also called 18-8 stainless steel because it consists of 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel content. It has excellent corrosion resistance in most applications; however, 304 stainless steel can experience corrosion when exposed to salt and other chlorides.Grade 304 stainless steel can be bent without decreasing its strength. But while it does a good job of resisting oxidizing agents that can cause rusting, 304 stainless steel can tarnish in certain environments.Due to its corrosion resistance, affordability and low maintenance, 304 stainless steel is most commonly found in wastewater treatment, hospitals, kitchen equipment and transportation industries.316 Stainless Steel
Grade 316 stainless steel is a high grade and shares many of the same characteristics as 304 stainless steel. One big difference is that it consists of 16 percent chromium content, 10 percent nickel content and two percent molybdenum. Nickel and molybdenum increase its corrosion resistance against chlorides and reduce its susceptibility to pitting and cracking. Stainless steel also has additional corrosion resistance, which makes it a good choice for high-saline environments (i.e., coastal regions and areas where de-icing is used) and industrial applications involving chemical processes.
The disadvantage of 316 stainless steel is its higher price. The higher nickel content increases the cost of stainless steel, which makes it less frequently used by designers who want to keep their material costs low.Why Stainless Steel Grade Matters
Both 304 and 316 stainless steel enclosures can be beneficial in specific applications. But who wants to pay the price for 316 when 304 will do the job just fine? As your trusted electronics enclosure manufacturer, we will help you determine which grade stainless steel is required. By partnering with Polycase, you can be sure that you’re getting the right stainless steel enclosure at the right price.As we move on to discussing the pros and cons of stainless steel enclosures, we should note that this article will be discussing 304 stainless steel enclosures specifically. This is because it is the most common grade of steel used in industrial applications.However, many of these pros and cons can be applied to 316 stainless steel enclosures as well. Keep this in mind as you weigh the benefits of stainless steel.
ADVANTAGES OF STAINLESS STEEL ENCLOSURES
Stainless steel enclosures are a popular choice because they are designed to withstand harsh industrial environments. But this isn’t the only quality that makes this steel alloy a great enclosure material for design engineers.Here is a look at some of the many advantages of a stainless steel enclosure:Corrosion-Resistant
One of the biggest advantages of stainless steel is its corrosion-resistant properties. Although it is difficult to predict how a metal will corrode in any given environment, stainless steel is known to protect sensitive equipment in rain, snow, wind and hail.Stainless steel has a very thin protective layer of chromium oxide on its surface which is formed on contact with oxygen. This enhances its corrosion-resistant properties and gives it the ability to self-repair when it is scratched or lightly damaged.Easy to Clean
Stainless steel enclosures are often found in the food and beverage industry and healthcare environments because they’re easy to clean. This is an important characteristic in hospitals and foodservice applications where sanitization is necessary.Stainless steel has a non-porous surface, which means that bacteria cannot easily soak into the enclosure. Although this doesn’t mean that it repels bacteria entirely, it does make it easier to sanitize and keep clean.The ability to clean stainless steel without harming its surface also makes stainless steel enclosures an attractive choice for many applications. No matter how many times you clean stainless steel, it will retain its high-quality appearance. The passive corrosion layer on stainless steel gives it the ability to resist rust or tarnish in most applications. As a result, stainless steel enclosures are widely used for their durability and aesthetic appeal.Easily Fabricated and Modified
There are virtually no fabrication limits to 304 stainless steel. Extremely versatile, it can be built and modified to meet the needs of most industrial applications.Although some grades of stainless steel require more robust machining capabilities, 304 stainless steel enclosures are relatively easy to cut into custom shapes and sizes. However, if cutouts need to be made in the field, stainless steel may be more difficult to modify than other enclosure materials.
Temperature Tolerance
Well-suited for indoor and outdoor use, stainless steel enclosures are extremely durable and can withstand temperatures up to 1700℉. Stainless steel is a poor conductor of heat because of its alloy structure. Its thermal conductivity is low, which gives it cooling capabilities that help reduce heat buildup in electronic enclosures.Because it can retain its strength in high temperatures, stainless steel is often used in tough environments where temperature fluctuations are common. If needed, louvers and other venting accessories can be added to stainless steel enclosures to dissipate heat as well.Strength-to-Weight Ratio
The specific weight (also known as strength-to-weight ratio) of an enclosure material is something that designers will want to consider, given that some applications call for lighter enclosure materials. Additionally, lighter materials generally cost less to transport and may be easier to work with.Of course, design engineers will also want to ensure that their enclosure material is strong enough for their application. Strong but relatively light, stainless steel has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.Sustainability
Stainless steel is a sustainable material and benefits both people and the environment. It is 100 percent recyclable and can be reused at high levels.With its passive chromium layer, stainless steel has a long lifespan and provides no harm to the people who make it (emissions from production are low). As society becomes more environmentally conscious, this quality makes stainless steel a top choice for eco-friendly design engineers.
Aesthetics
Stainless steel has an attractive appearance which doesn’t fade over time. With more customers requesting electronic enclosures that are aesthetically pleasing, this is another factor to consider.Shiny, sleek and easy to clean, stainless steel enclosures boast a modern appearance that is both functional and appealing to the eye. They can also be easily machined to your particular requirements and fabricated to blend in with their environment.CONS OF STAINLESS STEEL ENCLOSURES
Ideal for indoor and outdoor applications, stainless steel enclosures offer a host of benefits for designers with few disadvantages. However, these disadvantages must be taken into consideration to properly protect your electronic equipment.Higher Initial Cost
Stainless steel prices change daily, but compared to other enclosure materials, it does have a higher initial cost. Grade 304 stainless steel is roughly four times the cost of mild steel and two or three times the cost of aluminum.However, many design engineers find this initial cost worth the investment. This is because stainless steel pays for itself over time and typically outlasts the electronic equipment it protects.Yet when compared to other corrosion-resistant materials, stainless steel has the lowest cost. In situations where corrosion is likely, this makes stainless steel an attractive choice for design engineers.
Corrosion in Marine Environments
As we discussed earlier in this article, the grade of stainless steel matters when you need to protect sensitive equipment. Although it can provide a degree of protection against the toughest industrial environments, 304 stainless steel is not recommended for coastal environments.Stainless steel is an excellent choice of material for its attractive finish, durability, low maintenance cost and high value, but this is only true when used in the correct applications. Exposure to chloride solutions (such as salt spray) can have a corrosive effect and result in “pitting” where localized corrosion occurs in the stainless steel due to prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals.To combat this issue, design engineers can either choose a higher grade stainless steel or an electronics enclosure built to withstand harsh environment applications. By selecting an enclosure which is designed to meet or exceed various NEMA and IP requirements, you can keep your electronics safe against a broad range of chemicals.FINAL THOUGHTS
There is a lot that design engineers must take into consideration before they choose an enclosure material for their application. For example, “do I need custom cutouts?” and “will my enclosure be located indoors or outdoors?” are just a few questions that need to be answered before making a decision.
Stainless steel enclosures not only provide superior protection against corrosion, heat damage and chemical damage, but their polished appearance makes them aesthetically pleasing as well. Different applications may require varying grades of stainless steel, so be sure to ask your electronics enclosure manufacturer which grade will work best for your application.0 Comment