Reconditioned Drums
Industrial drums, or barrels, are hollow, cylindrical containers used primarily to store and/or transport various materials and products. Industrial drums are used by many industries and, depending on the material they originally carry, are generally reusable. In fact, drum refurbishment is a thriving industry in its own right. Reconditioned drums offer essentially the same quality as new drums but at much lower prices.
Quick links to Reconditioned Drums Information
Applications of Reconditioned Drums
Reconditioned drums are available in all common drum materials, including steel, dense paperboard, and plastic. Most often, steel drums are made from cold-rolled, welded, and stamped steel sheets. Within the context of material composition, the choice of which reconditioned drum is best for an application depends on the nature of the substance a customer plans to place inside it. For example, steel drums are the preferred drum for the storage and transport of corrosion and/or hazardous substances, like petroleum. Fiber drums can also handle some hazardous materials. They are strong enough to accommodate both solid and liquid materials, but they are much more lightweight their steel counterparts. Some of the most common products they hold include pharmaceuticals, food pastes, food purees, adhesives coatings, and powders. Reconditioned plastic drums are a great choice for a variety of different customers. Usually made from HDPE Containers, they are rigid and strong. Not only can they hold a variety of solids and liquids, but, as they do not rust, they make wonderful outdoor receptacles, rain/water collection barrels, festival barricades, general storage containers, and dock buoys.
Reconditioned Drum Design and Customization
Regardless of their material type, they can be sold as or modified into the two main types of industrial drum: welded top drum and open top drum. Welded top drums, as their name indicates, are welded shut. Customers looking for reconditioned drums with which they can ship or store contents without fear of spillage or leakage should seek out welded top drums. Reconditioned open top drums, on the other hand, sport lids that are easily removed. This are not generally recommended for shipping, but rather the storage of non-hazardous materials. To achieve specific dimensions, manufacturers can add plastic drum tops to pre-owned drums using the injection blow molding process.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Reconditioned Drums
It is important for customers to note that, while the manufacturing processes used during the original drum fabrication are not of particular importance, the accuracy with which they were carried out, the materials used, and the quality of the restoration processes are important. In addition, while many reconditioned drums are physically capable of carrying out certain jobs, that does not mean that they are strictly qualified to carry out those jobs. In other words, in many industries or with certain substances, the parties involved must adhere to certain anti-leak, security or dimension standards. This is especially true for the shipping of hazardous or dangerous materials.
The best way to know what standards or restrictions apply to a drum application is to check with postal agents or other knowledgeable officials. Equipped with this knowledge, a customer can easily confirm the appropriateness of a drum or drums with a reconditioned drum supplier. The standard international dimension of industrial drums is 22.5 inches (572 millimeters) by 33.5 inches (851 millimeters). Drums of this size can hold up to 57.66 US gallons, but they are usually only filled to 55 gallons, which is where they get their name 55 gallon drums, or, in the UK, 44 gallon drums. So, as to avoid confusion or the accidental purchase of an incorrect size of drum, it is important for a customer to take note of the units their supplier uses. For the highest quality reconditioned drums, a customer should reach out to a reputable and trusted drum manufacturer with the skills and supplies to match his or her specifications and standard requirements.