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Stainless Steel Load Cells 101

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Different materials are used in designing and building force-sensing products based on the environmental conditions. The choice of materials is important when considering specifications, test and measurement environment, and use case. One of the best metals for keeping environmental factors away from a load cell’s electronics is stainless steel.

The three main metals used in the manufacture of load cells and other force-sensing products are aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. The output signal performance of stainless steel load cells falls between the steel and aluminum standards.

The main benefit of stainless steel is that it is the best material to use in a corrosive environment because of the metal’s environmental resistance properties. The downside to stainless steel is that it is a bit more difficult to machine; however, it only requires a simple heat treatment. It is also the most expensive metal of the three and has the highest hysteresis.

Why choose stainless steel over the more cost-effective steel and aluminum options, especially when it is not the strongest or provides the best signal output? Interface recommends stainless steel when the user needs to collect data from a load cell in a hazardous environment or under harsh conditions.

Interface offers stainless steel sensors as part of our hermetically sealed, ruggedized load cell product lines. We make stainless steel load cells of all sizes and capacities, including stainless steel miniature load cells, load washers, and customized load pins. Using stainless steel not only keeps users safe but also enables high quality, accuracy, and reliability in extreme environments.

These specialized load cells and force measurement solutions are designed and manufactured to be safe for use in hazardous gas and dust environments when installed per applicable installation instructions. These components play an integral role in ensuring the safety of those working in dangerous environments, particularly in industries such as oil and gas, mining, aerospace, automotive, and more.

Some of our stainless-steel load cell options include:

To help keep individuals and workplaces safe, manufacturers create tools and equipment that are protected from the elements in these environments and will not expose electronics to hazardous environments. Interface’s contribution to this is our ruggedized load cells, many of which are made of stainless steel for their strength in these harsh environments. We also carry a specialized line of intrinsically safe products.

There are hundreds of thousands of engineers and manufacturers who design solutions for or work in hazardous environments. Whether it’s operating inside facilities with large machines and intricate moving parts, working hundreds of feet in the air to repair a bridge, or deep within a mine shaft, these professionals put themselves in danger every day by the nature of their work. The solutions they use to measure force must provide the type of specifications suited to these conditions.

To learn more about these products, join the conversation Ruggedized Solutions for Test & Measurement, where we discuss:

  • Defining Ruggedized
  • Environmental Stresses and Harsh Condition Categories
  • Standards and Ratings
  • Structural and Material Options
  • Ruggedized Test and Measurement Devices
  • Sealed Products and Enclosures
  • Extreme Temperatures and Cycling
  • Exposure to Moisture and Submersibles
  • Test and Measurement Applications Using Ruggedized Products
  • Do’s + Don’ts
  • FAQs

 

 

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