Choosing the right type of steel is vital when carrying heavy loads within shipping containers. Firstly, you need a metal that is strong enough to carry the weight of one or more vehicles without straining or buckling. Some metals can be strong weight carriers but are also brittle and can shatter on impact, which could cause unexpected collapse resulting in catastrophic damage in a containerised car racking system.
What Is Steel?
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon: the higher the carbon content, the stronger the steel. Steel is always a stronger option than iron as the carbon content makes it more durable and longer lasting. Steel is usually rated according to the amount of carbon it contains and the ratio of carbon to iron. There are typically three varieties: low-carbon, medium-carbon and high-carbon content.
Low-carbon steel contains a carbon ratio of 0.30% or less. As a result, it is fairly pliable, making it easy to shape, form and weld. It is also known as mild steel and is best used for projects where flexibility and ductility are a priority.
Medium-carbon steel contains a slightly higher ratio, between 0.30% and 0.60%. It is stronger than low-carbon but still fairly malleable. Medium-carbon steel is often used for car parts where a degree of strength is required but pliability is also needed to create complex designs.
The highest grade of steel, high-carbon steel contains a carbon to iron ratio of between 0.60% up to 2.5%. Although the steel can be made to be particularly strong in specific applications, it is also brittle and hard to work with.
Each grade of steel also contains traces of other elements such as nickel, copper and chromium.
Our Racking Systems
On the open oceans, strength and durability are vital as safety is a key priority. A quality car racking system will need to support heavy weights and withstand sudden movement without failing.
The R-RAK system is made from a high-strength steel alloy which has excellent corrosion resistance properties due to the racks being used all around the world in different temperatures and humidities. These qualities also make the R-RAK superb value for money as it has a life span of up to ten years. Surprisingly, despite their strength, Trans-Rak steel racking products are also lightweight, making them easy to handle and adding less overall weight to each container.
By using high-quality steel, the R-RAK system is a better choice for the environment than its wooden counterparts. Not only can the R-RAK system be used again and again with different styles and shapes of vehicles for up to ten years, but it is also fully recyclable. What is more, all Trans-Rak products are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure every product is of the highest quality. Trans-Rak products have also passed the Association of American Railroads and Russian Rail testing criteria for safe transport.
Find Out More
For more information on Trans-Rak products, please call for a quote.
