A Comprehensive Guide to Steel Drums

Steel Drums

Drum Material – Carbon or Stainless Steel

Most steel drums, also known as kegs, are manufactured using either carbon steel or stainless steel. Stainless steel offers enhanced chemical resistance, making it suitable for products that require cleanliness and compatibility with specific materials based on their composition. Compared to carbon steel kegs, stainless steel kegs excel in corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and reusability.

Drum Top – Open Head or Tight Head (Closed Head)

Steel drums are available in two configurations: open head and tight head.

Open Head Kegs: Open head kegs, often referred to as 1A2 kegs, feature a fully removable lid that is secured using a bolt or toggle ring closure. These drums are ideal for handling thicker solids and liquids such as oils, absorbents, syrups, and adhesives. They are commonly used in situations where the drum contents need to be added or removed frequently.

Fixed Head Drums: Fixed head drums, also known as closed head drums or 1A1 drums, have a non-removable head that is securely sealed. These drums are typically used for storing lower viscosity liquids.

Covers and Closures

Deck: A deck refers to the lid or top of the drum that provides access to its contents. The covers should be fastened using a bolt or toggle fastener.

Bolt Ring Latch: A bolt ring is a ring that surrounds the lid and container top, securing them in a groove. The ring is then tightened using a screw that connects the ends of the ring. A calibrated torque wrench is used to ensure proper closure, meeting UN classification requirements.

Toggle-Lock Ring Closure: The toggle-lock ring closure operates similarly to the bolt ring, securing the lid to the container with a latch or lever that applies torque to the two ends of the ring. Unlike the bolt ring, a torque wrench is not necessary to confirm the closure.

Drum Colors

Standard drum colour options in stock usually include black, but other common colours are white, grey, medium and dark blue, vintage yellow, red, and dark green. Additional colours can be requested. The use of different drum colours allows customers to easily identify the contents stored in different containers without the need to open them. For instance, by visually inspecting 50 barrels, one can quickly determine what is stored in each barrel. Stainless steel barrels are not painted.

 

Contact Us Today To Order Yours