Stainless steel conveyor plates to carbon steel (A36) supports 1

[ranmoo]

I have a client in an industrial application that is looking to replace a 30 year old conveyor. The conveyor was originally and currently painted carbon steel. The purpose of the conveyor is to move and simultaneously cool portions of tires under their manufacturing process. The cooling is mostly handled by spraying water over the materials as they pass. The water is slightly acidic, and has caused slightly aggressive corrosion in the side and bottom plates and their joints of the conveyor support frame through the years. Annually, portions of the conveyor sides and bottom plates have been replaced or stiffened due to corrosion (with similar carbon steel plates).

The current objective is to replace a significant length of the conveyor. I have been asked to design new side plates and bottoms out of stainless steel, and the load carrying support channels out of painted carbon steel. Other components in the vicinity (catwalks, misc. equipment frames) will be carbon steel as before.

Questions (and I welcome feedback, please):

- what grade of stainless steel is recommended for this application as the side and bottom plates for a conveyor that is exposed to slightly acidic water spray (economics and availability will play a part in the decision as well)?

- The painted carbon steel support channels, other W-shapes in the vicinity, grating, etc. will not be exposed to the acidic water spray. How is the best way to weld carbon steel to the stainless steel plates and their recommended grade? Welding Electrode? Welding process? Are dissimilar metals a concern between the recommended SS grade and A36 carbon steel (that is planned on being painted)??

Thank you

 

[EdStainless]

Look at a lean duplex stainless grade such as LDX2101 (made by Outokumpu and stocked in the US by Rolled Alloys) or AL2003 (Allegheny Ludlum). These are strong materials, you might be able to reduce the amount of metal used. Today LDX2101 is less per pound than 304, and it has more corrosion resistance and strength.

Weld the joints to CS with 309 filler and make sure that they are painted.

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