Why does Solarhart make ceramic lined tanks?

Solahart’s technology has evolved over many decades. During its long manufacturing history the company has evaluated and used many methods of manufacturing storage tanks, found them inferior and made substantial investments in fused ceramic technology.

Ninety five percent of all the world’s boiling water storage tanks use ceramic linings. The Solahart ceramic lining is tried and proven and can be used in every climate and with a wide range of water qualities.

A ceramic tank in a steel case

The Solahart storage tank can be considered as a ceramic tank with a steel casing.

All Solahart thermosiphon tanks have an internal double layer ceramic lining, applied after all the fabrication work on the tank is complete to ensure tank integrity.

The double ceramic lining is fused to the steel casing at over 800°C, pre-stressing it. As it cools, the ceramic lining cools slower than the steel, becoming compressed. This ensures no cracking or crazing of the ceramic lining under normal daily temperature variations and pressures.

The use of a double lining is superior to most water heaters which only use a single lining. The second Primaglaze ® coat has been specifi cally formulated to ensure that the tank will withstand hotter water over the lifetime of the tank, than ordinary water heaters can usually withstand.

Over its long development Solahart ceramic tank technology has withstood the vagaries of all kinds of water supplies, and has proven to be a match for any conditions, including waters with high chloride levels.

Ceramic linings are used because they afford resistance to corrosion, scale deposition, and high temperatures. A fact not lost on some 95% of the world’s water heater manufacturers.

Metals fused with ceramics have been used in some very extreme conditions such as the nose cones of NASA space shuttles.

Why Solahart does not use Stainless Steel or Copper

The expression ‘stainless’ or rust free steel has its origins in kitchenware. The fact that such knives and saucepans do not stain is often extended to the belief that stainless steel generally is corrosion proof. This is not borne out in fact. When stainless steel is exposed to water, a very thin film of oxide is formed on the surface. This film is the only protection the steel will ever have. It cannot offer the substantial protection of a double ceramic lining, and can break down in some water supplies.

Corrosion can occur when very small defects grow over time or as the metal is stressed by heating and cooling.

Copper is not preferred because it also fails in normal mains pressure boiling water systems, especially where high chloride levels are present.