There have been recent online discussions within the compressed gas community about using lasers to engrave or clean aluminum high pressure cylinders. These processes could damage the integrity of the high-pressure vessels.
In the last month, both Catalina Cylinders and Thunderbird Metal East have released statements denouncing the use of laser engraving, marking, or cleaning post manufacturing as these processes could damage high-pressure cylinders. Laser engraving, marking, and cleaning remove surface metal of the high-pressure vessels in varying degrees. Additionally, these processes apply heat to specific portions of the high-pressure vessel to varying degrees with unknown temperatures. This heat may reduce structural integrity by damaging the temper of the metal. This damage may cause to the high-pressure may not be visible, but still poses a hazard to the operator. Both Catalina Cylinders and Thunderbird Metal East advise all cylinder owners to avoid using any laser on any cylinders and to avoid using any cylinders marked or cleaned with lasers. Also, the use of any of these laser processes on a high-pressure vessel manufactured by either company will immediately void the warranty.
Comments