Rice Lake Z6 Single-Ended Beam, SS Welded-seal, IP67, OIML C3 - Manual (Page 7)

Load Cell Construction 3
2.0 Load Cell Construction
2.1 Materials
Aluminum Load Cells
Aluminum load cell elements are used primarily in single point, low capacity applications. The alloy of choice is 2023 because of
its low creep and hysteresis characteristics. Aluminum load cells have relatively thick web sections compared to tool steel cells of
comparable capacities. This is necessary to provide the proper amount of deflection in the element at capacity. Machining costs
are usually lower on aluminum elements due to the softness of the material. Single point designs can be gauged for costs similar
to those of bending beams.
Tool Steel Load Cells
Load cells manufactured from tool steel elements are by far the most popular cells in use today. The cost to performance ratio is
better for tool steel elements compared to either aluminum or stainless steel designs. The most popular alloy are 4330 or 4340
because they have low creep and low hysteresis characteristics. This type of steel can be manufactured to spec consistently,
which means that minute load cell design changes don’t have to be made every time a new lot or new steel vendor is selected.
Stainless Steel Load Cells
Stainless steel load cells are made from 17-4ph, which is the alloy having the best overall performance qualities of any of the
stainless derivatives. Stainless steel cells are more expensive than tool steel load cells. They are sometimes fitted with hermetically
sealed web cavities which makes them an ideal choice for corrosive, high moisture applications. Stainless steel load cells that are
not hermetically sealed have little advantage over comparable cells constructed of tool steel, other than a higher resistance to
corrosion.