Proportioning the Compressed Air Dryer
Trying to figure out which air dryer capacity is best for you? Here are some factors to consider. Read More…
Aluminum versus cast iron – Which piston compressor material is best?
Thanks in large part due to their versatility and low cost, piston compressors are among the most common air compressors being used today. They are the right choice for a wide range of applications, from DIY to workshops to dentists.
Once you have concluded that a piston compressor also meets your needs best, there is one more decision to make: aluminum versus cast iron.
If you have used our guide on what type of air compressor to choose, then you will know that the first step in selecting the right material for your compressor (which in this case means the pump, cylinders, flywheel and valves) is to figure out how you want to use your new compressor.
When you know, the choice may be easier than you think – even for a layperson.
Aluminum versus cast iron – lightweight versus heavy duty
To anybody familiar with metals, the main difference between the two is obvious: Aluminum is much lighter. Despite its low weight, aluminium is very strong. It features superior malleability and excellent corrosion resistance, is easy to machine, not susceptible to rust formation, and has good electrical and thermal conductivity. The latter is particularly important for piston compressors because it results in good heat dissipation. In addition, aluminium will heat up enough to vaporize any condensate in the oil. Aluminium’s low density makes it the logical material to use for lightweight compressors that are easier to transport, install, and move around.
Cast iron, on the other hand, is able to withstand high loads. It is a perfect shock absorber. While cast iron is sometimes viewed as
problematic because it gives off dust that may be harmful to humans, this is not a problem with Atlas Copco compressors. Among the
advantages of cast iron compressors is also that they have long service intervals and feature a high cooling performance. Because it is
very durable and much heavier than aluminium, cast iron is the perfect material for compressors that need to operate in heavy duty
environments and extreme conditions. One drawback is that cast iron is not very flexible.
Aluminum versus cast iron – your needs decide
Because both materials have distinct advantages, it’s impossible to say which one is better. Ultimately, you have to decide which one is better for you.
However, here is a rule of thumb: If you need a small, flexible compressor, especially for non-stationary use, then aluminium is often the material of choice.
But if durability is most important to you and/or your compressor has to function reliably in tough conditions, then you will probably prefer a cast iron model.
One final note, which is less important for Atlas Copco compressors because of their outstanding durability but should be mentioned in a world in which sustainability is increasingly important: Of the two materials, aluminium is much easier to recycle.
Ask an us about the best options for your needs.
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
Talk to the team today:
Maintenance budget: 8 factors to consider
Just like any other equipment, a compressed air installation also requires the necessary maintenance work during its entire
lifespan. Even though maintenance costs are only about 5 to 10% of a machine's annual operating costs, failure to budget for
maintenance can have potentially disastrous consequences.
Read More…
The air dyer is one of the most ignored cooler in the system. A dirty condenser will cause water in the lines, or worse it will cause
complete dryer failure.
Read More…
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