In fiber optic network, there are many boxes or devices used outdoors, some even in harsh environment, so the metal kits used on such fiber optic products should be stainless steel, or else it will be rust or broken soon.
Take fiber splice protectors for example,the middle strength member between the fusion tube and metl tube are all made of stainless steel. There are two types of commonly used stainless steel rods, SS201 and SS304 used in telecommuications, CATV networks.
In general, both appearance are the same, can not see the difference by human eyes, but the composition are different. 304 is better in quality, but the price is expensive; 201 is worse. And 304 is imported stainless steel plate, 201 is domestic stainless steel plate.
What is 201 stainless steel?
201 is composed of 17Cr-4.5Ni-6Mn-N, which is a kind of Ni saving steel and a substitute for 301 steel. It has magnetism after cold working and is used for railway vehicles.
201 is characterized by high manganese content, bright surface with dark light, and high manganese content is easy to rust.
Because the nickel content of 201 is low, so the price is much cheaper.
What is 304 stainless steel?
304 is composed of 18Cr-9Ni, which is the most widely used stainless steel and heat-resistant steel. It is used for food production equipment, general chemical equipment, nuclear energy, etc.
304 contains more chromium, the surface is matt, and does not rust.
304 is expensive now, but 304 can at least ensure that it will not rust during use. (Stainless steel medical liquid can be used for experiment)
How to distinguish 201 & 304 stainless steel?
There are many identification methods, such as authoritative agency testing, spectrometer testing, grinding spark state judgment, magnetism, etc. However, some methods are too costly and some methods are inaccurate. Here Yingda recommend customers use the most economical and effective way to judge by dropping liquid medicine on steel surface and check by human eyes in very short time.
Usage method:
Make sure the steel surface is clean without oil stain, and the coating is removed.
Drop one liquid on the steel surface and observe the color change. After 2-3 minutes, compare the color or reddening time to confirm the stainless steel model.
Test Results:
- 201: Turn red in about 50 seconds, Manganese exceeds the standard
- 202: Turn red in about 1minutes, Manganese exceeds the standard
- 301:Turn red in about 2-3minutes, color is very light, should look carefully. Manganese exceeds the standard
- 304:No red, turn brown or discoloration within 3minutes.
- 316:Change from light green to black brown in 3-5 minutes.
What fiber optic products use stainless steel material?
Most of the time, the fiber optic box used outdoors will use stainless steel materials to anti-corrosion, as rust will affect the optical fiber parameters.
Type 1：Fiber Sleeves
The fiber shrink sleeve inner strength member is stainless steel, it can 201 or 304 both type, length from 15mm 25mm 35mm to 55mm.
Type 2: Joint Closure
The fiber optic joint closure used duct, underground, pole mounted, pipeline, or wall mounted, so it should be very good quality to anti-corrosion, the steel exposed to air or external should be stainless steel or even 304 the best.
Type 3: Fiber Distribution Box
Fiber optical distribution box is widely used wall, aerial or pole mounted too, same as splice enclosures, so the metal kits including the locking rods, buckles or brackets or pole mount clamps should be stainless steel.
Type 4: Cable Hardware Fittings
Metal cable fittings including tension clamps, suspension clamps, steel bands or mounting clamps are mostly made of stainless steel, because it is used outdoor too.
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