SS Back plate, what kind of steel/brand?

[Marcin2005]

I'm contemplating switching from a traditional BC to a backplate and I'm not sure what I should look for? I've seen some on ebay but most are made out of 304 steel. Is this sufficient of should I pay more and get something made out 316L.

BTW I’m trying to avoid prices charged by OMS and other big name manufacturers.

Thnx for your help.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I'm contemplating switching from a traditional BC to a backplate and I'm not sure what I should look for? I've seen some on ebay but most are made out of 304 steel. Is this sufficient of should I pay more and get something made out 316L.

BTW I’m trying to avoid prices charged by OMS and other big name manufacturers.

Thnx for your help.

304 AND 316 are both corrosion resistent. 316 has advantages in extremely corrosive environs, like chemical plants, or at elevated temps, i.e. hot nasty fluids.

In my opinion passivation is more important. Whenever SS is in contact with steel tooling, like at the rolling mill, or when is cut, drilled, bent etc. there will be transfer of "free iron" to the surface. This free iron, if not treated, will provide a place for corrosion to start. This is true for 302, 303, 304, 316 etc.

Passivation removes this free iron. Most passivation is done by hot nitric acid (don't try this at home)

Correctly passivated 304 will often outperform unpassivated 316 in marine environment.

Keep in mind that aluminum (tanks) and brass (regs and fittings) are routinely used in scuba, and with fairly minimal care (rinsing post dive) perform quite well.

In short 304 should be fine.


Regards,


Tobin

 

[drbill]

Tobin won't toot his own horn, but I will. The backplates he produces are very well manufactured based on my inspection and use. You might look into his products before you decide.

Dr. Bill

 

[Quaff King]

Have your cake and eat it to! Check out these guys, they make a heck of a plate!

www.hammerheadscuba.com

 

[Marcin2005]

Great suggestions guys. But after doing conversion into Canadian $ it works out to a lot more than my LDS.

I'll keep looking. Thanks for you help.

 

[halocline]

If you're looking for a plate to use only with a single tank, try Jetharness. His price for the plate and wing is way lower than anything else I could find; the plate is 316 steel. I just ordered one, when it comes in, I'll post something about it.

The plate is flat, though, which I'm hoping will be an advantage for single tank diving (no STA, tank closer to back) but makes using the plate with doubles impossible. If I'm not mistaken, the standard design of plates (raised ridge down the middle) is solely to facilitate doubles.

 

[The Kraken]

The raised ridge down the middle also acommodates the backbone. One can develop some raw spots with a plate riding directly upon the vertebrae.

 

[Mverick]

You can also get a titanium plate. A guy on Ebay was selling them.

FredT sells 316 plates. Never had a corosion problem with his.

I also had it LineX coated. So it's also Encapsulated. Making the Straps running through the backplate not need any Retainers. They stay put and it also doesn't chafe the strapping. Really sweet. Also, adds texture on the backplate so when you put it on your back it won't slip around. Not a big issue, but nice. Also, plate doesn't transfer heat or cold to your back. It's kind of insulated.

So, all around nice idea to do.

And nobody is selling them coated like mine. Gotta get it done yourself...LOL

And if you need real corrosion resistence with weight. There's always Hastalloy C. LOL. We ran 200degree Sulphuric acid mix through it. Which would eat 316 like it was tub butter on a hot knife... LOL But, it slowly ate Hastalloy C also.. But, it's not needed. I just like the 316. If it's the same price. Might as well get it. But really not needed.

 

[cool_hardware52]

The raised ridge down the middle also acommodates the backbone. One can develop some raw spots with a plate riding directly upon the vertebrae.

Not True! Stand with your back against a wall. Try to flatten your back so that ANY part of your spine touches the wall. After you get your back as flat as possible, and as close to the wall as possible, have a friend (good friend) slide their hand up between the wall and your spine. You will be surprised how much room there really is.


Your spine will protrude from your back if you grab your ankles, but not when you are in anything approaching a "normal" diving posture.

Flat plates work fine, but as noted above, their use is limited to single tanks.


Tobin

 

[The Kraken]

Guess I'm just skinny . . . need to eat some more grits.