Two factors play important roles in the IonCleanse® detox footbath replacement plates: the purity of recycled steel and the type of steel used. First, in this modern world where raw materials are increasingly scarce, post-consumer recycled material plays an increasingly important role in the overall reclaiming of paper, glass and metal.* While paper and glass have limited recycling lives, metal may be recycled over and over without losing strength or material compound. However, as metal is recycled, more impurities are picked up along the way and, if not properly removed, will impart profoundly undesired effects on the properties of the recycled metal. Second, the type or grade of steel determines how quickly it corrodes.
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. The ‘biggest challenge in iron recovery is the purity’ (according to TOMRA, a company devoted to providing ‘smart solutions’ for optimizing the planet’s dwindling resources). As metals are reclaimed from prior use, the purity of the reprocessed metal becomes an issue of concern. Metals mixed with ‘tramp’ elements (contaminants) are likely to deliver inconsistent results. Some of the common contaminants of steel listed on various metallurgy sites are: sulfur, phosphorous, manganese, tin and gasses such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. In metallurgy, the presence of free sulfur in steel is considered a ‘VERY harmful’ element that should be kept to a minimum of 0.15%, although cheap steel may contain as much as 0.6% of sulfur. (see steel impurities list)
To be assured only metal of prime quality is used, AMD turns to Ryerson Steel, a leading distributor and processor of metals in North America, to be the sole supplier of the metal contained in the IonCleanse® ion foot bath replacement plates. Ryerson upholds what are probably the industry’s strictest standards for metal and is an important supplier of metal to the United States aerospace and defense industries, two industries that cannot tolerate variance in the quality of their metal supplies.
Beyond ‘tramp’ or contaminant elements, stainless steel may be grouped into different types. AMD uses the higher grade, austenitic steel, which is more resistant to corrosion. Simply stated, this makes AMD’s plates longer lasting. At AMD we understand how a thorough screening process for superior components means a superior cleanse. When consistent, reliable results are imperative, IonCleanse® system replacement plates with their purity and strength make sense.
*Reclamation of paper, glass and metal comes from two sources: post-consumer recycled material and the scraps recovered from factory floors during the manufacturing process (which were once thrown away).
