Maintaining a clean, dry environment is crucial in the metals manufacturing industry. Moisture can lead to rust, oxidation, or corrosion, all of which can damage metal parts and diminish the quality of metal products. The most effective way to mitigate moisture risk is by applying nitrogen gas.
When manufactured, metal parts are often covered with dirt and small bits of debris left over from the production process. These impurities must be washed away before the parts are packaged and shipped to customers. After washing, the parts need to be dried quickly to prevent moisture from accumulating and reacting with oxygen. This reaction can lead to oxidation, corrosion, or rust.
Most facilities use nitrogen gas in the drying process instead of compressed air, as it does not create the same unwanted reaction when it encounters water. Nitrogen completely displaces oxygen, thereby preventing any harmful reaction with water and dismantling the corrosion triangle.
The drying process using N2 gas creates a completely moisture-free environment for the metal parts by displacing existing oxygen molecules with dry nitrogen gas. Nitrogen’s dryness results from its extremely low dew point (the temperature at which it becomes a liquid), which typically ranges from -40 to -100 degrees F. This means it cannot liquefy in a controlled manufacturing setting.
The only drawback to using nitrogen for metal manufacturing is the safety risk associated with handling high-pressure nitrogen cylinders. Thankfully, South-Tek Systems provides a more modernized, efficient, and safe method for nitrogen application: nitrogen generation systems. Instead of relying on the gas company for your nitrogen supply, a nitrogen generator from South-Tek Systems can provide you with high-purity N2 gas 24/7. Because nitrogen generators produce nitrogen from the surrounding air, there’s little chance your facility will run out, making those expensive and dangerous N2 cylinders a thing of the past.