Right Enclosure Protection for Offshore Marine Equipment

If the companies would like to protect their equipment from any type of the following ingress: wind, rain, saltwater, snow, hail, and possibly corrosion it is well recommended for these companies to use the 316 stainless steel enclosure.

With this in mind, stainless steel is not only known for its good aesthetic properties, but it can also improve an enclosures’ corrosion resistant property. Stainless steel is commonly used for creating finer finishes for other products because apparently the surface smoothness also helps in preventing corrosion. It is said that when the surface roughness is reduced, the corrosion resistance of the metal is improved.

In addition to the amazing surface finish quality of stainless steel enclosure, the grain orientation also plays a very important role in the corrosion resistance of the metal. To help you further understand this concept, the vertical grain orientation helps in providing efficiency and easier cleaning for the enclosure. Rainwater and gravity fed hose water will eventually run parallel on the surface because of the grains. In contrast to this, the horizontal grain lines increase the possibility for the metal to increase and fasten the corrosion process because it retains and stores the corrosive contaminates.

The process on how the metal will corrode specific to a certain environment most of the time is very hard to tell. There are many variables to consider, one of which is the given climate of the particular region. Because of this, it can have a huge impact on the corrosion characteristics of the metal. In addition to this, the coastal area can also be affected by the salt existing in the moisture of the air and was carried through long distances by strong winds and this can also cause corrosion to the metal. With this in mind, the climate should not be the only variable that must be considered because there are also microclimates that are existing in the specific location of the enclosure.

The primary priority of the enclosures use din other industries is that these enclosures should be able to protect their equipment from outside hazards. Therefore, where the enclosure will be installed should be in a place where there is a minimal chance that it will get wet with the possibility that is is cleaned on a regular basis. The covering of the enclosure that is installed – either a shield placed under an eave – should prevent the water ingress or the ice formation on the enclosure. In conclusion there still several variables and conditions that should be considered. The humidity and the lack of ventilation in the area where the enclosure will be installed can also be a possible culprit for the formation of the corrosion around the enclosures. It is also a good idea to refer to the rating published by NEMA because it gives the companies the standard quality of the protection given by a certain rating. With this in mind, complying to the NEMA standard will help the offshore marine companies to have the best enclosure that will protect their equipment.