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Should we use Stainless Steel Loadcells (MT401S) in a Wet and Hostile Environment?


You've undoubtedly had to deal with maintaining your equipment under less-than-ideal circumstances if you work in Australian mining, agriculture, or food processing. The harsh reality can rapidly destroy standard equipment, and many industrial environments combine moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations.

We frequently receive the following query from our clients regarding weighing systems: "Will my load cells survive in wet conditions?" It's a reasonable one, particularly when you're spending money on machinery that must function dependably for many years to come.

The Moisture Challenge

Let's talk about moisture first. Whether it's rain, humidity, wash-down procedures, or full submersion, water exposure is one of the biggest enemies of electronic equipment. Standard load cells with exposed electronics and mild steel components can quickly corrode and fail when exposed to moisture.

For instance, an owner of a farm had installed budget load cells just six months earlier. Now, he may wonder why the system is failing just because morning dew and occasional rain had corroded the connection points. What seemed like a good deal initially ended up costing more in downtime and replacement.

Hostile Environments Demand Tough Solutions

Beyond just moisture, many Aussie operations deal with truly harsh conditions:

       Salt spray in coastal areas

       Chemical exposure in food processing or mining

       Extreme temperature fluctuations

       Physical impacts and vibrations

       Dust and particulate matter

Each of these conditions can considerably shorten the lifespan of common measurement equipment. Unexpected failures might result in expensive downtime, product loss, or even safety concerns when your company relies on precise weight measurement.

The Stainless Steel Advantage

This is where stainless steel load cells shine. Several important benefits are provided by our MT401S Stainless Steel Load Cell for applications requiring tough environments:

       Resistance to Corrosion: The 304-grade stainless steel construction resists rust and degradation even after being subjected to several chemicals and water.

       Sealed Design: Depending on the configuration, these cells' IP68 certifications and hermetic sealing keep moisture and dust away from sensitive areas.

       Temperature Stability: Unlike mild steel or aluminium substitutes, stainless steel cells retain accuracy across a larger temperature range.

       Durability: The sturdy design better withstands physical strain, lowering the possibility of damage from knocks or vibrations.

If you own a production facility, surely your wash-down procedures, which use hot water and cleaning chemicals, are destroying the standard cells. So, we recommend you switch to our stainless steel cells. You’ll be glad you did and experience the joy of not having a single failure in over three years.

Real-World Considerations

While stainless steel load cells like the MT401S are clearly superior for wet environments, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind:

1: Initial Investment

Yes, stainless steel costs more upfront. There's no way around this - quality materials and better manufacturing processes come at a price. However, when you factor in replacement costs and downtime from failures, stainless cells often prove more economical over time.

2: Installation Matters

Even the best load cell can fail if installed incorrectly. Proper mounting, correct wiring with appropriate strain relief, and protection from direct impacts all contribute to longevity.

3: Maintenance Requirements

While stainless cells need less maintenance, they still benefit from regular checks. Simple visual inspections can catch issues like cable damage before they cause system failures.

Application-Specific Needs

Different applications have different requirements.

  1. Food Processing: Requires frequent wash-downs with hot water and chemicals, making stainless steel almost mandatory.
  2. Outdoor Livestock Weighing: Needs to withstand rain, mud, and animal waste, along with potential impacts.
  3. Mining Operations: Must handle dust, vibration, and potentially corrosive materials.
  4. Marine Applications: Face the ultimate challenge of constant salt spray exposure.

If you are a farmer using a system that failed during the rainy season, we can supply you with a Sheep Feeder weighing kit with 4 MT401S load cells. The load cells in this weighing kit continue to perform flawlessly, even when partially submerged during heavy rains.

Making the Right Choice

So, should you use stainless steel load cells in wet and hostile environments? If your application involves regular exposure to moisture, chemicals, or other harsh conditions, the answer is almost certainly YES.

The slightly higher initial investment pays dividends through:

       Reduced replacement frequency

       Lower maintenance costs

       Minimal downtime

       More consistent measurement accuracy

       Longer overall system lifespan

Stainless steel load cells aren't just a luxury for many Aussie companies that operate in harsh conditions; they're a long-term, financially advantageous need.

Long-term success depends on selecting the appropriate load cell technology for your particular setting, whether you're weighing cattle, keeping an eye on the contents of your hopper, or assessing production outputs.

Remember - in industrial weighing, as in many aspects of business, the cheapest option rarely provides the best value. Investing in quality equipment that's designed for your specific conditions will almost always save money and headaches down the road.

Have questions about the right load cell solution for your specific application? Contact Meltrons Australia. Our team is always happy to provide guidance based on your unique needs and conditions.