Door Petra van Zandvoort - Van Leeuwen offers hydraulics corrosion protection
Pipe and tube specialist distributor Van Leeuwen Wheeler is offering an exclusive in the supply of ranges of premium-quality chrome-plated stainless steel bar, including a grade that is a completely new specification to the UK market. Mainly used for the manufacture of piston rods for hydraulic cylinders, chrome-plated stainless bar offers enhanced levels of corrosion resistance.
Joel Cumberland, Van Leeuwen Wheeler's fluid-power sales specialist, says: “With the industry in this country facing increasing pressure from low cost-base countries such as China, UK manufacturers are looking to obtain competitive advantage on quality by producing equipment for specialist applications. Reflecting this we are seeing a growth in demand for high specification materials and by agreeing the exclusive supply of these products to the UK market, we have secured an extensive depth of stock which will give our customers guaranteed supply with a fast order turnround".
Typical applications for these products include both the manufacture and repair of high specification cylinder rods for equipment that has to withstand highly corrosive or aggressive environments such as off-shore and deck or dockside equipment. Joel Cumberland: “Whilst the core market for these materials currently relates to products designed for particularly harsh environments such as marine applications, we are also seeing a growth in interest from other markets such as agriculture where manufacturers also want to offer a premium quality.”
The company’s UK stock consists of chrome-plated AISI 431 stainless bar, which offers high levels of corrosion resistance and durability for aggressive and demanding applications. Also available are stainless grades 316L and 17/4 PH. Van Leeuwen Wheeler is also offering a higher specification material from its parent group’s major stockholding facility in Holland. AISI 329 is an austenitic-ferritic stainless with enhanced levels of tension-corrosion resistance and improved mechanical properties.
Chrome-plated 329 is a new specification on the UK market. In Europe it has been specified for a number of specialist applications, including cylinders operating in highly corrosive marine environments.
The range of 431 is available in a standard diameters from 10mm to 160mm, with other sizes available to special order, and the 329 is available in standard sizes from 18mm to 90mm. Both grades come in 6m lengths and Van Leeuwen Wheeler offers a specialist cut-to-length service.
For more information contact Van Leeuwen Wheeler on 0161 761 5431.
Typical applications for chrome-plated stainless steel include both the manufacture and repair of high specification cylinder rods for equipment that has to withstand highly corrosive or aggressive environments.