Your compressor has served you well, but lately it has been getting tired, or has tired out completely. Time for a whole new unit? Wait – because that solution is likely to cost you a small fortune. Thankfully, most of your compressor’s internal organs are replaceable, but again, not so fast, as some replacement products are cheap and not built to last. To begin, here is a list of some components that are available for installation in most compressors:
- Springs
- Piston rods
- Poppets
- Profile rings, oil scraper rings and O-rings
- Rider bands
- Lantern rings
- Metallic plates
- Buttons and nubs
- Valves and valve plates
- Crankshafts
- Crosshead guides
- Cylinders, cylinder heads and liners
- Damper plates
- Gaskets
OEM or Custom-Manufactured?
The answer should be “either one,” but that of course depends on the quality of the product. In some cases, aftermarket parts perform better than their OEM counterparts. In any case, these are some questions you should ask while shopping around:
- How well does this new part’s shape and function match the original?
- What can the manufacturer tell you about the materials used?
- Do they provide a performance guarantee for their parts?
Which Brands Tend to Be Serviceable?
The following list of brands includes gas/oil and P.E.T. compressor models. If yours is in the list, it should be fully serviceable:
- ABC
- AF (Ateliers Francois)
- Ajax
- Ariel
- Atlas Copco
- Belliss&Morcom
- Chicago Pneumatic
- Clark
- Cooper Bessemer
- Dresser-Rand
- Gardner Denver
- GE Gemini
- GreenField
- IMW Industries
- Ingersoll-Rand
- Joy
- Knox
- Manley
- Pennsylvania
- Siad
- Superior
- Worthington
What About Plastic Parts?
Plastics have made a bold entrance into the industrial environment, and they are here to stay. One reason for their popularity is their excellent mechanical and chemical resistance, qualities that some metals are lacking. But not all plastics are created equal either. The following are some of the options you have when it comes high-quality plastic parts:
- Nylon
- MT (Mid-temperature)
- PEEK (Polyether ether ketone)
- Carbon-PEEK (Carbon reinforced, great for environments where chlorine is common)
- X-style materials, such as PKX,NYX and MTX
Stress, strain, melt, water absorption and heat deflection characteristics should be compared when choosing the material that is right for your environment.
The following listssome additional advantages for using plastics:
- A better seal. Metal plates often install with a gap, and the void can worsen with use. Thermoplastic components conform better to the valve seat, and the seal actually improves with use.
- Strong temperature resistance. Well-made plastics are produced so as not to deform under high-temperature load. Injection-molded parts are produced to be stress-free for better performance.
If particular compounds are used in your facility (such as nitrogen, ammonia or refrigerants) check a chemical resistance chart to choose which plastic is right for your application.
When components are chosen and installed carefully, the results can be impressive. Nothing beats a smooth-running machine. Consider the maintenance and care of your compressor as a business investment. Replacing internals such as metallic plates, springs and rings can extend the life of your equipment, allowing your company to continue operating without a big capital budget hit. When shopping for compressor replacement parts, look for signs of quality, and a guarantee for accuracy and performance integrity.
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