Bottles’ battle – the Winner Is…

There have always been discussions about what kind of water bottle is the best. Plastic? Stainless steel? Aluminum? Or glass bottle? Due to protect our environment, everybody wants to purchase a reusable water bottle but sometimes it is hard to make a right decision and the amount of different products makes it even harder. Here is some information to make you choose easier between aluminum and stainless steel bottles.

Stainless steel water bottles

Stainless steel was the standard for buildings and also a sign for the economic growth in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Nowadays it found its way to reusable bottles. Stainless steel bottles are usually crafted from culinary-grade stainless steel and come in various sizes and colors. If you are concerned about manufacturing techniques or toxins, stainless steel bottles are a good alternative to plastic bottles. As stainless steel is non-reactive, bottles do not leach, they don’t have to be lined and the don’t affect the taste of drink. Stainless steel bottles are probably not really suitable in hot climates because the metal heats up more quickly. On the other hand you can be sure that it will last you a lifetime and can withstand daily wear.

PROS :                                                                       CONS :

– dishwasher safe                                      – can dent if dropped

– durable                                                         – heats up in hot climates

– 100% recyclable                                     – not microwaveable

– high-quality design                              – energy intensive manufacturing

– no plastic toxins                                     – possible metallic taste

Aluminum water bottles

Aluminum has a variety of applications, but aluminum is probably most used for packaging of beer, soda, tea and other drinks. Aluminum bottles and stainless steel bottles often look and feel similar. But aluminum bottles have are dramatically different. As aluminum reacts with certain liquids, aluminum bottles are usually lined with an enamel or epoxy layer. The most popular aluminum bottles have narrow necks which makes them difficult to clean, dry and load it with ice. Those aluminum bottles with certain types of lining are not recyclable.

PROS :                                                                               CONS : 

– trendy                                                                       – not dishwasher safe

– lighter than stainless steel                          – can dent more easily

– less expensive                                                     – difficult to clean

– keeps beverages cold                                     – chemical leaching possibility

Shanghai Metal Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality stainless steel and aluminum. We offer an excellent service and a great durability of our products to fulfill customers’ needs. For more information visit our website or send us inquiry. English speaking staff will guide you further. Download a new application by scanning QR code below and don’t forget to follow us on Social Media.

    

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Credits: bulletinbottle.com, wateruse.org, banthebottle.net, becausewater.org, googleimages

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Can bamboo replace the carbon fibre?

A bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Certain species of bamboo can grow 35 inches within 24 hour period and that is unbelievable.  Bamboos are typical significance for South, Southeast and East Asia. It can serve as a building material, food source and as a versatile raw product. Will be bamboo the next “carbon fiber” in automotive industry?

Real carbon fibre is still quite expensive to make in large quantities, requires quite a lot of effort to manufacture, when you made it poorly, it can be very brittle, but what is more important – it is not recyclable and has a bad impact on environment while being produced. Gary Young, a manufacturer of surfboards, says : “With the right approach, bamboo could be used in many applications in automotive industry thanks to its qualities plus it doesn’t have a negative effect on the environment.

A future bamboo car

Bamboo really looks promising on many levels. It could pass several difficult problems connected to new-car production. It could withstand flame and fire resistance standards. The bamboo wood costs pennies per pound and it is perhaps the best renewable material, as it grows very quickly. What is more, the dust from a bamboo  weave production decomposes over time.

Toyota’s Lexus division is one of car-makers committed to renewable materials and now it is offering 8 models of Lexus’ bamboo-rimmed steel wheel. According to engineers’ words, if you feel comfortable at the wheel, you don’t feel so tired, even after a long drive.

A bamboo-rimmed steering wheel

There is a lot of questions around using bamboo at the high temperatures common in automotive industry and fabrication. So for now carbon fiber still can’t be replaced by bamboo, but things could change soon or later.

A car – all bamboo on wheels except engine

In Shanghai Metal Corporation we offer a wide range of products for automotive industry for example steel, aluminium, carbon steel. If you want to learn more, visit our website or send us inquiry. You could also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LindkedIn or download our new application by scanning QR code below.

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Credits : inhabitat.com, trendblast.com, bbc.com, greencarreports.com, wikipedia.org, googleimages