Why Steel Shipping Barrels Are a Safe and Efficient Shipping Option

Fast Facts on Steel Shipping Barrels and Drums

• Two types of steel drums are available for shipping purposes: open-head and tight-head.
  
  
  
  • Open-head barrels feature a removable lid secured with a locking mechanism. These barrels are the preferred option when the barrel’s contents need to be frequently mixed or added to as part of a supply chain process. They’re also used for more viscous liquids that don’t flow easily through a faucet.
  
  
  • Tight-head drums are manufactured without a removable lid and use a bung system to dispense their contents. Tight-head drums are more appropriate for non-viscous liquids that are easy to dispense through an attached faucet system.
  
  
  
  


• Metal bungs or plugs are screwed into holes with threaded flanges in the barrel’s top to provide access to the contents. A torque wrench is then used to tighten the bungs into place to form a liquid-tight seal. When it’s time to dispense the contents, a screw-on faucet can be applied.


• Plastic cap-seals affixed over the bungs using a special cap-seal tightener provide tamper-evident protection against unauthorized access to the drum’s contents.


• For hazardous materials shipping, the United Nations sets rigorous standards regarding the durability and composition of steel shipping barrels. If you’re shipping hazardous materials, you’ll need to go with U.N.-rated barrels, both for safety and legal compliance.


• The durability of steel barrels means that they can often be professionally cleaned and refurbished after use. Using refurbished barrels is both environmentally friendly and an effective form of cost management.

What Materials Are Steel Shipping Drums Good For?

• Industrial Chemicals


• Crude Oil and Gasoline


• Consumer Household Products


• Kitchen Waste


• Sewage


• Consumable Liquids


• Dry Goods

What Steel Barrel Options Does AirSea Offer?

• New Steel Drums: AirSea carries both open- and closed-head steel drums made from highly durable carbon steel. We also offer accessories such as bung wrenches, faucets and funnels.


• Epoxy-Phenolic Lining: All our steel drums are coated with a rust inhibitor that provides a basic level of rust protection. However, if your application demands serious rust resistance, especially for long-term storage, you’ll want to use our epoxy-lined models, such as this 25-gallon epoxy-lined tight-head barrel. These models feature an advanced epoxy-phenolic coating on the inside that helps prevent rusting. If you’re storing beer, drinking water or other consumable liquids, you’ll want an epoxy-lined drum.


• Reconditioned and Refurbished Drums: Refurbished barrels don’t just provide a cost-effective solution; they also help protect the environment by reducing landfill waste. Our refurbished options include both closed-headed drums and open-headed steel drums for sale. When properly maintained, refurbished UN-rated drums retain their hazmat shipping rating; thus, these drums are a great option for cost-effective hazmat shipping. All have been professionally cleaned, but as mentioned above, these are not suitable for food-grade applications, and AirSea accepts no liability for debris, residue or odor.


• Salvage Drums: If you need to transport chemicals in a damaged or leaking container, you’ll usually need a U.N.-rated salvage drum. These drums meet the same high standards as our other drums but are larger so that a smaller container can be nested inside.