Stainless steel tanks: the new Europoliuretani standard

Some improvements are noticeable immediately, while others make a difference after years of operation.

We have decided to introduce stainless steel tanks as the new standard on Europoliuretani dosing machines.

This choice addresses an issue that mainly emerges over the long term: the possible formation of rust in the temperature control circuit when carbon steel tanks are used.

What happens over time?

In dosing machines for polyurethane systems, the temperature of the chemical components is kept under control through a temperature control circuit. The tanks are equipped with a jacket in which water circulates, connected to an external unit that cools or heats the product according to process requirements.

When the tank is made of carbon steel, rust may form inside this jacket over the years. The use of water with glycol and specific inhibitors helps limit this phenomenon, but it is not always sufficient to prevent it completely, especially if air enters the circuit or the water source is particularly alkaline.

The water inside the jacket circulates throughout the entire temperature control system. As a result, any rust particles and deposits can reach filters, valves, heat exchangers and the external unit.

Over time, the accumulation of these residues can reduce water flow, cause blockages and make maintenance necessary.

Why switch to stainless steel

The use of stainless steel makes it possible to address the source of the problem. Thanks to its corrosion resistance compared with carbon steel, stainless steel prevents the risk of the tank becoming a source of rust within the water circuit. This is an advantage that may not be noticeable on the first day the machine is in operation. It becomes more important over the years and with continued use of the system.
The choice of stainless steel therefore comes from observing what can happen during prolonged use of the system and from the possibility of preventing the problem by acting directly on the tank material.

For this reason, stainless steel tanks are now standard on Europoliuretani dosing machines.