Stainless Steel Floats
Stainless Steel floats are ideal for high pressure, applications, or where the greater strength and corrosion resistance of this material necessary. They also are used in less severe applications to assure that the float will last as long as the rest of the product.
Stainless steel eliminates many float failures on low-pressure steam traps, float valves, float boxes, etc. Stainless steel floats may be used safely at pressures up to 1,000 lbs., often with relatively thin walls for maximum buoyancy. Standard spherical floats of stainless steel weigh considerably less than seamless copper floats of the same size and have a corresponding increase in effective buoyancy.
The stainless steel grades we commonly use are Type 304, Stabilized 18-8, Type 347, Type 316 and Type 316L. Stabilized 18-8, with Titanium or Columbium, was developed for maximum resistance to corrosion after welding. It is particularly adapted to equipment operating in the temperature range from 800° to 1,600°F. Sizes range from 1″ to 14″ in diameter.