Market Forge Industries STM-E, Owner'S Manual, Page: 15 / 36

13
SECTION 2 WATER CONDITIONS
Market Forge from time to time is asked the question about using
distilled
or
dionized
water
for use with our Sterilizer models
STM-E
and
STM-EL
. We are always asked why these
water choices are not allowed for use with our units and what would be recommended. To
address this situation, we have complied the following as a means of satisfying these
questions:
1. We have found that the use of
distilled
or
dionized
water will aggressively attack the
pure coat of Aluminum Alclad, which protects the bottom surface from oxidizing and
then eventually pitting (reference: Operating and Maintenance Instructions).
2. In addition pitting can also be caused by several other external environmental factors.
Few examples are as follows. These conditions have been highlighted in our
documentation.
 Grains of hardness in the water supply should be as follows
(.25 to 2)
.
 a pH imbalance in the water supply can greatly affect the life to the aluminum
cylinder. The pH range that would be recommended is between
7.0-8.5
.
 The lack of a positive electrical ground can cause an electrolytic reaction that
will accelerate pitting.
 Another contribution to accelerate pitting is the type of cleaning solutions used
or the abrasive scrubbing pads. If a low pH is present with the detergents being
used or an abrasive pad, the protective Alclad coating will be removed during
the cleaning process.
 Spillage of media being sterilized can also contribute to the accelerated pitting if
it is corrosive.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Market Forge will not be responsible for damage resulting from the use of hard or
corrosive water, from failure to drain the unit daily, or from inadequate cleaning
procedures.