When choosing the right adaptor for your system, the material matters just as much as the design. From handling high pressure steam to ensuring food-grade standards, selecting the right alloy can make the difference between efficiency and costly downtime.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between stainless steel, steel and brass adaptors; exploring where each material excels and when you should consider them for your system.

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel, containing at least 10.5% chromium, which is crucial for its utility as the chromium forms a self-healing oxide layer that resists corrosion and rust, making this material a highly desirable choice for any systems handling water, steam or chemicals.

Generally, stainless steel is the strongest choice of the commonly seen adaptors on the market, making it the ideal choice for high impact and high pressure systems due to its mechanical wear resistance and its ability to cope with higher temperatures compared to other materials.

These adaptors are recommended for use in a variety of industries:

• Food processing
• Pharma
• Dairy
• Marine/saltwater
• High pressure hydraulics
• Steam
• Chemical

You should consider using a stainless steel adaptor if your system handles:

• Water, steam, chemicals or high pressures
• Outdoor or marine conditions
• Food-grade or sanitary requirements
• Any application where failure could be costly or dangerous

Ensure your system runs safely and reliably with the strength of stainless steel with our range of stainless steel adaptors.

 

Steel

Adaptors composed of steel are ideal for systems that need the strength of stainless steel but not necessarily the longevity.

Steel adaptors typically come with a steel core and are then plated with a thin layer of another metal (usually zinc, nickel or chrome) which offers the component resistance to rust and corrosion. However, if the plating wears off or is damaged, the exposed steel will be vulnerable to corrosion and rusting unlike when using stainless steel which has a self-repairing layer.

You should consider using a steel adaptor if:

• You’re working in a controlled, non-corrosive environment
• Budget is tight and the adaptor is not being used in a critical system
• You expect minimal wear or exposure of the adaptor

In short, steel adaptors offer reliable performance for controlled environments at a lower cost. Browse our steel adaptor range to choose the best option for your system.

 

Brass

Due to brass’ copper content, it is naturally corrosion resistant, meaning it performs well in systems dealing with water, air, hydraulic oils, gasoline and diesel. However, it isn’t ideal for working with corrosive chemicals, ammonia or saltwater.

You should consider a brass adaptor for your system if:

• It handles water, air, oil or fuel
• It deals with moderate pressure and temperatures
• You need easy machinability or sealing capabilities in your components
• You’re looking for a cost effective, corrosion resistant option

Explore our full range of brass adaptors to find the right fit for your system.