Why stainless steel pneumatics are a wise investment

API Pneumatic is one of the few global exponents of stainless steel pneumatic cylinders and spool valves. Not just any stainless steel either for that matter, but none other than high-grade 316. Now, API’s UK arm is making its non-corrosive pneumatic components available to the UK market – providing durable and cost-effective solutions for the Maritime, Oil and Gas, Pharmaceutical and Food and Beverage industries.

Few companies dare to tread where API Pneumatic does. A combination of Italian flair and ingenuity has led our parent company to carve a niche in the supply of stainless steel pneumatic equipment. We’re extremely excited about this development at API Pneumatic UK.

For a maritime nation, with a well established Oil and Gas industry and some of the most advanced pharmaceutical exponents settled upon our shores, the possibilities offered by 316 stainless steel pneumatic products are many and varied.

Type 316 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel, which contains molybdenum. The latter increases corrosion resistance, resistance to pitting from chloride ion solutions, and provides increased strength at higher temperatures. The corrosion resistance – especially against alkaline chlorides, sulphuric, hydrochloric, tartaric, acetic and formic acids, and acid sulfates – is second to none.

Which is exactly why API Pneumatic stainless steel pneumatic cylinders are the ideal fit for aggressive North Sea applications or Food and Beverage washdown environments that require the use of caustic cleaning agents.

API Pneumatic Stainless Steel spool valves

API Pneumatic has set its stall out with an extensive array of stainless steel pneumatic cylinders, ranging from compact ISO 21287 cylinders, through to 15552 double acting cylinders. But, as well as a wide selection of stainless steel mounting accessories, API has set the 316 steel bar even higher still with a specialised range of inox spool valves.

“Stainless steel spool valves are expensive to manufacture and there are limited markets for them, namely Pharmaceuticals, Oil and Gas, and some food companies,” says Tim Swift, Managing Director at API Pneumatic UK. “Which is why a lot of companies steer clear of it. But API Pneumatic have made it their goal to become the main player in the stainless steel market. Taking on the big competitors in Germany and America.”

As such, API Pneumatic is one of a select group of manufacturers that are involved in the manufacture of stainless steel spool valves. “Lots of them make stainless steel cylinders, but only a handful make stainless steel spool valves,” continues Tim. “The markets for API Pneumatic have really been in Oil and Gas so far. They have done quite a lot in the Oil and Gas industry in Russia and places like that.”

Is it any wonder either? Because, for Tim, the benefits of 316 stainless steel are clear. “The whole valve body is stainless steel – every part – so it doesn’t corrode,” he says. “That means that API inox valves can be used in North Sea applications or acidic and alkaline environments. So our stainless steel valves can certainly withstand a lot of maltreatment.”

API Pneumatic Stainless Steel pneumatic cylinders

Of course, for a company that has made its name in pneumatic cylinders, a stainless steel product line was essentially a no-brainer. Especially given the fragility of standard aluminium cylinders in extremely aggressive applications. “No end of people complain that when they washdown on food machinery, the caustic eats into the anodised aluminium of their pneumatic cylinders,” says Tim. “After a period of time, they get fed up of buying five cylinders a year when they can buy one every five years instead from API.

“The cost of stainless steel is not small, but the cost is less important than the overall value that you ultimately get. Once you buy it, it’s bought and it will last for years. Particularly 316 stainless steel, which a lot of our competitors don’t go for. But, if you want to go into marine and North Sea environments, nothing else will do. It’s simply got to be 316.”

The future is bright, shiny stainless steel for API Pneumatic, with rapid expansion plans in the pipeline. “Really, over the next five years, stainless steel is going to be an area that API are going to be pushing,” says Tim. “We want to push that here in the UK as well, because on a pricing and turnaround point of view we know how competitive we are. These aren’t stock parts, they are made to order. We’re looking at 2-3 week turnarounds, where our competitors are looking at two months,” he concludes.

If you’re interested in purchasing stainless steel pneumatic cylinders or inox spool valves from API Pneumatic UK, please contact us today to discuss your requirements. Simply contact us on 01782 206 995 or email [email protected] and one of our technical experts will be only too happy to guide you through your options.