Stainless steel wire fasteners are one of SUM Ltd’s most popular fastening systems. They secure removable insulation blankets around an instrument and are durable, corrosion resistant and have excellent tensile strength.
Stainless steel was first invented in 1913 in Sheffield, United Kingdom by Harry Brearley. It was found that a mix of 12.8% chromium and molten iron would produce a ‘rust-less’ steel. Like many inventions, Brearley stumbled upon his discovery while looking for a solution to another problem: Internal erosion of gun barrels during the beginning of the First World War. Years later, metallurgists applied several techniques on stainless steel to create desirable properties. One of the inventions that emerged from this was the lacing wire we know today.
How are stainless steel wire fasteners created?
To begin, stainless steel is treated in a consistent, high-temperature environment for a set duration of time called soft annealing. The duration in which the material stays in this environment depends on the thickness of the wire. Soft annealing heats the metal above its recrystallization temperature, but below its melting point, causing new grains to form without any residual stresses. Once the inner core has reached the appropriate temperature, the metal is slowly cooled for new grains to develop. The result is steel that is more workable, reduced hardness, and increased ductility (a material’s ability to draw into a wire.)
What are the benefits of using stainless steel wire fasteners?
Stainless steel wire fasteners provide several benefits which include:
- Cost: Stainless steel wire fasteners are a cost-effective, semi-permanent solution to insulating instruments.
- Plasticity: Stainless steel wire fasteners are highly plastic, capable of bending or tying the wire into any configuration, as necessary.
- High corrosion resistance: Thanks to its natural properties, stainless steel wire fasteners are highly resistant to corrosion.
What are the applications for stainless steel wire fasteners?
- Corrosive environments: Stainless steel forms a passive oxide layer, rendering the surface electrochemically passive in the presence of corrosive environments.
- Heat conservation: Stainless steel wire is capable of handling elevated temperatures without warping or losing structural integrity.
- Employee Personal Protection: Wire fastening systems reliably secure insulation blankets around high-temperature instruments, mitigating the risk of burns.
How do I install stainless steel wire fasteners onto my equipment?
Proper installation is important to ensure your blanket functions properly and operates optimally. Exposed areas of your instrument may result in a less efficient product.
Follow these steps for optimal installation of your removable insulation:
- Before installation, ensure you have a wire twisting tool to create loops in the following steps.
- Form and compress the blanket around the instrument. Continue working your way around the instrument until the seams of each end of the blanket are as close as possible to one another.
- Form a loop with the stainless-steel wire fastener and hook it around the first rivet.
- Pull and wrap the steel wire around the second rivet, ensuring it is tightened and secured. Continue lacing the wire around each rivet, alternating between each end until you reach the length of the blanket.
- Cut and wrap any excess wire around the final rivet.
Conclusion
If you are interested in integrating stainless steel wire fasteners into your next custom removable insulation blanket, SUM Ltd can help.
SUM Ltd builds custom-fitted insulation blankets for every project. To us, perfection is the only standard, and a job well done is a blanket that precisely matches every bend, curve, or loop of your instrument. To achieve this, our dedicated staff members always measure and remeasure your equipment. After all, we are firm believers of measuring twice and cutting once.
Our attention to build quality has earned us the trust of companies around the world. You can find our insulation on North Sea drilling platforms, Argentinian instruments, or right at home in BC ships and mines. If you need assistance with choosing the right materials for your custom insulation blanket, book a consultation with SUM Ltd today.