Choosing Materials
How do you choose the right material plug for your condenser tubes? Rule of thumb is, you want to match the material of your tubes as best you can.
How do you choose the right material plug for your condenser tubes? Rule of thumb is, you want to match the material of your tubes as best you can.
The key is to try to eliminate the potential of any galvanic action inside the tubes when plugging. Galvanic corrosion happens when two dissimilar metals come in contact and are also introduced to an electrolyte element (ie., a water/salt solution).
For this type of corrosion to occur, there needs to be metal to metal contact of dissimilar metals (like brass and stainless for instance) and an electrolyte solution to act as the catalyst. In manufacturing our tube plugs, we have tried to greatly eliminate this possibility by having some key differences over other types of tube plugs.
Step One is matching our nut and bolt material with the most similar tube material: Stainless Steel alloy tubes with Stainless Steel, Copper Nickel tubes with Brass (a similar match on a Galvanic Series of Metal and Alloys Chart – see chart below), Titanium tubes with Titanium.
Step Two is our non-water soluble Hytrel washers and collars in place of using metal material that will touch the tube walls. No direct contact decreases or eliminates the incidents of galvanic action.
Step Three The provision of a completely Non Metallic plug for use where cases of corrosion are elevated due to electrolyte solution, etc.
Whenever there is a question of what the most appropriate material plug should be used with your condenser tubes, it is always best to consult us in order to consider all pertinent information and make an informed decision. We are here for you at (781) 749-0220 Monday through Friday 9am-5pm EST and after hours our Call centers can get in touch with us at any time.
ANODIC (+) POSITIVE CHARGE, CORRODED END – LEAST NOBLE |
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Magnesium & Magnesium Alloys |
Zinc |
Aluminum 1100 |
Cadmium |
Aluminum 2024-T4 |
Steel or Iron Cast Iron |
Type 304 & 316 Stainless (active) |
Lead, Tin |
Nickel (active) Brasses, Copper, Bronzes & Copper-Nickel Alloys |
Nickel (passive) |
Chromium-iron (passive) |
Type 304 & 316 Stainless (passive) |
Silver |
Titanium |
Graphite |
Gold |
Platinum |
CATHODIC (-) NEGATIVE CHARGE, PROTECTED END – MOST NOBLE: |