Luxfer Tanks

[slikrickabn]

I have a couple of luxfer aluminum tanks that I carried to the Dive Shop to get hydro'd, and they stated that they couldn't do it as there was some mettalurgy problems with the tanks made in the years mine were made. They stated that Luxfer had a return program where you could send them back and get a good price on replacements. I have emailed Luxfer, but haven't gotten a reply. Anyone know of this?

rick

 

[bleeb]

Are you asking for more information about the problem with tanks made from 6351 aluminum, or are you asking about the state of the Luxfer trade-in program (which I *think* ended a few years back, although they may still be offering a slight discount)? Information on identifying bad tanks can be found in the sticky thread at the top of the Tanks forum Is my cylinder made from the bad alloy?

 

[knotical]

Yep, the Luxfer trade-in program ended at the end of 2003.
see: Policy statement concerning replacement of U.S. scuba cylinders made from 6351 aluminum alloy - Luxfer: Setting The Standard Worldwide

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Take a look at the frequently asked questions part of the Luxfer website: Frequently asked questions - Luxfer: Setting The Standard Worldwide

They changed alloys in mid 1988 so if the first hydro date stamped on your tank is 1989 or later your tanks are OK. Luxfer reports that tank ruptures, for 6351 alloy, have been limted to about 1 tank in 2,000,000 worldwide. But 1 tank in 400 will show signs of cracking at some point. If you want to continue using an old tank they recommend an eddy current inspection as well as visual annually for the 6351 tanks so that would drive up the maintenance costs for those tanks. Bottom line is some shops will fill the old tanks, and some will not.

 

[davetowz]

Wow another post about 6351 tanks.

 

[Scared Silly]

Wow another post about 6351 tanks.

Not surprised to see a post ...

They [the dive shop] stated that Luxfer had a return program where you could send them back and get a good price on replacements.

But I am surprised that a dive shop would mention a program that ended 8 years ago!!!

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Yes, the weekly 6351 post is expected, but the dive shop reference to the Luxfer exchange program is surprising. that was big news in 2003 so the shop staff are either fairly new to diving or were really clueless back then.