| Characteristics of Various Materials |
Cost |
Suggested Applications |
Hot Rolled Pickled
and Oiled Steel Sheets
(ASTM A569)
A low-carbon, hot-finished steel produced by passing bar stock,
at a temperature above the recrystallation temperature, between
a set of rolls. Scale has been removed by means of a hot, weak
sulfuric acid bath, after which an oil film is applied. |
Low |
General indoor
and outdoor use after a suitable finish has been applied to
protect against corrosion. |
Cold Rolled Steel
(ASTM A366)
A low-carbon, cold-finished steel produced by passing bar stock
through a set of rolls. |
Low |
General indoor
and outdoor use after a suitable finish has been applied to
protect against corrosion. |
18-8 Stainless
Steel (Type 302-304)
A highly corrosion resistant iron-based alloy containing between
18% and 20% chromium. Stainless steel is the strongest of the
corrosion resistant materials. It exhibits many of the same
resistances attributed to fiberglass materials as well as resistance
to highly polar solvents such as acetone and mek.
|
Low to Moderate |
Indoor or outdoor
use in neutral pH (pH is a measurement of the degree of acidity
or alkalinity of a solution: pH values from 0 to 7 indicate
acidity, and pH values from 7 to 14 indicate alkalinity). Resists
oil, gas, glycerine, dichromates, borates, and silicates. Most
frequent application is outdoor including seacoast atmospheres.
Additional finishes may be applied to improve corrosion resistance. |
Enclosures are
intended for outdoor use primarily to
provide a degree of protection against falling rain sleet; undamaged
by the formation of ice on the enclosure. |
Moderate |
Indoor and outdoor
use. Ideally suited for use in food processing areas, dairies,
breweries, or any wet area. Also works well in areas where caustic
elements or alkalies are present. |
|
316 or 316L Stainless Steel
Provide improved resistance to salt, some acids, and high
temperature. Resistance to sulfates and chlorine is less than
Type 304.
|
Moderate to High |
Indoor or outdoor
use in almost any environment. These stainless steels are the
most corrosion resistant metal materials used by Nema Enclosures
Mfg. Corp. for enclosures. A superior material choice for marine
environments. |
|
5052 Aluminum
A lightweight metal that has a protective oxide layer which
shields its surface from most corrosive elements. 5052 is
the strongest non-heat treatable aluminum alloy.
|
Moderate
|
Indoor or outdoor
use, particularly in marine environments. Also an excellent
choice for enclosures exposed to solvents, petrochemicals, some
acids, most sulfates and nitrates. |
Monel
A high nickel-base alloy characterized by good strength and
good resistance to heat and corrosion. |
High |
Frequently specified
for marine and chemical plant applications. |
Galvannealed Steel
(ASTM A653)
Steel with zinc on both sides specifically designed to be used
in the painted condition. Typically hot-dipped to A40 and A60
designations.
Features include:
• Corrosion resistance
• Excellent paintability
• Easy weldability
• The combined paint/galvannealed coating offers
resistance to pealing and/or blistering
with properly selected paints and primers. |
Low to Moderate |
Indoor or outdoor
use where a painted finish is important. Used in the automotive
industry. |
