We were recently contacted by an offshore operator who needed a new Primary Reactive Spark Arrestor Silencer for one of their engines.
We got busy sourcing it and discovered that the silencers available on the market were made of an incompatible metal, meaning the metal in the new silencer would react with the metal on the flange (ANSI 150 CORTEN A) which would lead to galvanic corrosion and failure.
Now we have this information, we can advise the operator and ensure they do not seek straight replacements going forward.
So, if it can’t be replaced with an “off the shelf” silencer, what happens next?
After consulting with a Metallurgist to identify a suitable material for the silencer, we now know the perfect metal for the job and can start the process of manufacturing a bespoke alloy sprayed mild steel silencer for the operator.
This will come with our usual 12-month warranty and be fitted by our engineers when ready.
The point here is simple: when it comes to engines and parts, just because it’s the right part for the job, it doesn’t mean that it’s made of the right material for it.
And the question is: would your provider point this out to you and carry out the research and manufacturing process to get you the resolution you need?
If not, let us know, we’d be happy to help.
P.S. Here’s a useful table to help you identify issues with using specific metals:
