Why Do the Materials of a Pump Matter?

Frequent jams, busted pistons, blown seals, and material degradation are all things to be avoided with any pump you purchase. But if you fail to ensure your pump is crafted from the right materials based on the chemicals and fluids it's intended to work with, that's exactly what might happen, halting productivity and incurring additional expenses. In this post, we'll take a closer look at just why pump materials are so important.

Why Are Pump Materials So Important?

The last thing you want is a pump that either breaks or melts shortly after you acquire it. But if you fail to select the correct material makeup, the chances of this happening will rise.

For example, if the fluid you're processing is crystal-forming when it's exposed to air, your chances of jamming the pump and damaging the piston increase. When this occurs, you'll likely have to replace pump parts or even the entire head.

Another example is fluid that hardens when exposed to UV rays. If you're working with such fluids, you'll need to ensure that your pump is crafted from materials that won't allow UV rays to penetrate it. Should this occur, the fluid will likely harden inside of the pump, damaging it to the point where it's no longer usable.

Do's and Don'ts for Selecting Pump Materials

Let's look at some dos and don'ts when it comes to material selection for your next pump:

Do:

• Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of the chemical you're using to better understand any potential hazards.
• Understand the chemical/fluid that is being processed (i.e., reaction when exposed to air, particulates, etc.).
• Know the temperature the pump will be moving fluid at.
• Consider the tank or storage container that will be housing material (i.e., plastic, metal, crystal) to help determine the proper pump makeup.
• Speak with experts and engineers that will help you understand pump material selection and which pumps are right for your intended end uses.

Don't:

• Assume that any pump can handle any type of fluid or chemical.
• Forget that pumps are typically chemical-based, not industry-based. In other words, just because one pump is sufficient for your work in a particular industry doesn't mean that it will be adequate for a different chemical/fluid in the same field.

Tips for Selecting the Right Pump Materials

Remember, pumps aren't so much industry-specific as they are chemical/fluid-specific.

We already discussed the importance of the MSDS document, but it's also important to analyze tables of material compatibility to ensure that the pump materials you're considering will stand up well to your intended use. But keep in mind that just because a chemical may be compatible doesn't necessarily mean that its reactions will not cause some difficulties during use — so it's important to understand this too.

An example of this is nitric acid. Nitric acid is compatible with PVDF, or polyvinylidene difluoride. However, depending on the concentration of the nitric acid, the fluorocarbon may expand or balloon when the requirement is that the material stays constant. This expansion can have an impact on accuracy and also affect overall pump performance.

Other Factors for Selecting the Right Pump

Aside from the chemical or fluid that is being processed, there are other considerations that should be weighed when selecting pump materials. Here's a look:

• Material life: Different materials have different lifespans. Today, pumps are often required to last for many years with little to no maintenance.
• Pump purpose: Are you looking to use the same pump long-term or are you looking to use it for a more limited time and then discard it? Material selection won't be as important in the latter scenario.
• Cost: Better materials are going to come at a higher price point. Ceramic aluminum, for example, generally does not react with any chemicals — making it an ideal pump material for applications where reactivity is a concern. However, such pumps come at a higher price point.

How Fluid Metering Can Help You Select the Right Type of Pump

As we mentioned as one of the "dos" earlier in this piece, we always suggest consulting with an expert that can help you better understand the type of pump makeup that would work best in your specific situation. At Fluid Metering, our experts work closely with our product development and engineering teams to conduct thorough life tests on any pumps under consideration to ensure that they'll meet the pump needs you require. Fluid Metering’s knowledgeable team is happy to provide detailed reports and insight to ensure that you have confidence in your pump selection.