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.

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.

Galvanic Series of Metal and Alloys

ANODIC (+) POSITIVE CHARGE, CORRODED END – LEAST NOBLE
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:

Heat Exchanger Products Corp

We manufacture the most reliable silicone condenser tube plugs on the market today for several industries, including: electrical generating plants both nuclear & fossil, pulp & paper and petro-chemical.

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