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Why We Offer Both "lined" And "unlined" Steel Drums

August 7th, 2007 by Dean Ricker

Filed under: Safety

As a child, you probably heard your mother telling you not to buy a food can that was dented. She was right! In order to protect food from coming into contact with metal, food cans used to be coated internally with a phenolic lining. This lining was brittle and if the can was dented, it was likely that the interior lining had cracked. Today, linings offer the chemical protection of the phenolic plus they are mixed with the flexible properties of epoxy. Together, these epoxy/phenolic coatings are chemically resistant and able to adhere to a surface when it is damaged. While the epoxy/phenolic is a sprayed-on and cured coating (like paint) a passive rust inhibitor is applied to all our carbon steel drums in order to remove surface oil prior to painting. The rust inhibitor is much like the final rinse at a carwash, it is a light clear spray that is neither visible or measurable once it is applied. The purpose of the rust inhibitor is to prevent flash rust on uncoated carbon steel. If a customer needs an epoxy/phenolic lined drum for chemical or long-term rust resistance, then an unlined drum will not suffice. Please contact me, or your sales representative, if you have questions about our lining options.

8 Responses

  1. Brett Ritchey says:
    February 5, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    What is the heat tolerance for epoxy phenolic lining, and what occurs above the tolerance temperature?

    Thanks, Brett

  2. Howard Skolnik says:
    February 10, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Brett,

    After checking with our lining manufacturer, they informed me that the upper tolerance for the epoxy phenolic lining would be about 550 F, at which point the coating would become brittle.

    Let me know if you have any further questions.

    Keep reading the Skolnik blog!

    Howard Skolnik

  3. Irwan Hidajat says:
    September 1, 2011 at 8:36 am

    What is the best lining option for toluene/1-pentanol solution?

    Thank you
    Irwan

  4. Howard Skolnik says:
    September 1, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Dear Irwan,
    Thank you for visiting the Skolnik blog and posting your question. While we do offer drums with protective epoxy/phenolic linings, we cannot recommend product compatibility with each lining.

    In this situation, what I suggest, is that I have have our lining manufacturer contact you to set up a Compatibility Test Series. The Series would involve accelerated testing of samples of your product in different lining sample cups. With most products, conclusive test results are available within 30 days. If you would like to proceed with such testing, please contact me at: 773.735.0700 x 1500.

    Thank you,
    Howard Skolnik

  5. Rolf says:
    November 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Will the epoxy phenolic or 100% phenolic lining degrade in water at ~200F? Or.. will the epoxy phenolic or 100% phenolic linings leech into the water? Are the drums suitable for food use? Thanks

  6. Howard Skolnik says:
    November 12, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Hello Rolf,
    Thanks for presenting such an interesting question. I really don’t have an answer for your question, although I would refer to you our lining supplier for an answer. Call me at 773.884.1500 and I will give you his contact information. Yes, the drums are suitable for food use. Thank you, Howard Skolnik

  7. Marty Stevens says:
    January 8, 2013 at 9:41 am

    If I’m going to use the barrel to hold fuel, does a lining matter?

  8. Howard Skolnik says:
    January 8, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Hello Mary,
    Thanks for posting your question. First of all, fuel is a hazardous material and if you choose to put it in a drum, please make sure that you choose a drum that is compliant with the hazardous properties of the contents, especially if you are transporting the drum over a public right of way. However, there are containers made for fuel storage that might be more appropriate for your usage. You can check with your local fire department for some direction on these options. With regard to a lining, because of the aggressive nature of fuel, I would anticipate any epoxy or phenolic lining would fail after a short period of contact. Thank you, Howard Skolnik

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