Steel Qualification Process for Water Heater Tank Fabrication

Processes and procedures utilized to qualify steel suppliers and steel for use in fabrication of glass-lined tanks for water heaters are critical for efficient and cost-effective manufacturing in today's climate of escalating steel prices and limited supply and availability of materials. This presentation outlines basic principles developed over many years at American Water Heater Company. American Water Heater produces gas and electric water heaters that are porcelain enameled and uses up to 250 tons/day of steel. During the past 6 years, up to 25 suppliers or types of steel have been evaluated. A three-step process has been developed and has been tested in more than 75 trials. It is a simple "common sense" approach. The basic principles are education, communication, and following procedures.