Materials of Construction
Key considerations for industrial fan materials of construction.
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Fans and Blowers Built for Your Environment
Material selection is a critical part of centrifugal fan design. The right materials affect corrosion resistance, durability, sanitation, maintenance requirements, weight, cost, and even the finished appearance of the fan.
AirPro offers a wide range of material options for fan wheels, housings, airstream components, and complete fan assemblies. Whether your application involves elevated temperatures, abrasive or corrosive contaminants, sanitary requirements, or hazardous operating conditions, our engineers help specify the best-fit materials for long-term performance. Available material options include:
- Aluminum
- Carbon steel grades
- Monel
- Nickel-based alloys, including 625, C22, C276, etc.
- Stainless steels
- Titanium
Because every application is different, it is not practical to list every possible material combination here. Instead, the examples below highlight two commonly specified fan material categories and the types of applications they support.
Aluminum Fan Application Example
AirPro builds fan components in a variety of aluminum grades when the application calls for it. While aluminum is not typically used for full fan construction, it is often used for critical components such as the wheel and housing.
As with any fan design, heavy-duty construction depends on more than material alone. Fan size, operating conditions, features, and accessories all contribute to long-term durability and performance.
Spark Resistant Construction (SRC)
Aluminum is commonly used in spark-resistant fan construction when required by the application. In environments where dust, fibers, gases, vapors, or liquids may create an explosion risk, AMCA spark-resistant construction requirements or recommendations may apply.
Spark Resistance Overview
Stainless Steel Fans Application Examples
Food & Dairy Processing
The majority of dairy and food processing applications require stainless steel fans. For some, only the fan airstream parts are stainless, while others dictate the entire fan be stainless steel, including the motors and safety guards. Induced Draft Fans, often used in Dairy applications, process the hot air at the outlet of the dryer using 304 Stainless Steel airstream parts (APIC).
Scrubbers
Scrubbers commonly require fans to handle caustic materials. These fans are frequently built with 316 Stainless Steel materials and other alloy options.
Corrosive Gases
These are common in applications for biomedical, pharmaceutical, fume exhaust, and many other industries. Depending on the corrosive properties of the gas stream, the industrial fan can be built with an epoxy coated carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, or a nickel alloy.
Material Selection Is Application Specific
Choosing the right material depends on the full operating environment, including temperature, corrosion potential, sanitation requirements, abrasion, and safety considerations. AirPro’s application engineers evaluate these factors to recommend the best material combination for performance, service life, and cost-effectiveness.
If you are unsure which materials of construction are best for your application, AirPro can help you determine the right solution for your process and environment.
