Description
Stainless Steel Flanged Water Hammer Arrestor – Z-Tide AIF-S
The Z-Tide Industrial AIF-S Series is a heavy-duty stainless steel flanged anti water hammer surge arrestor designed to absorb hydraulic pressure surges and protect pumps, valves and pipelines from damaging shock waves.
Using a sealed diaphragm air chamber, the AIF-S absorbs sudden pressure spikes caused by rapid valve closure, pump starting or stopping and changes in water velocity. The flexible diaphragm separates the compressed air cushion from the pipeline medium, providing immediate surge absorption without a sliding piston mechanism.
Available in large flanged sizes from DN80 to DN300, the stainless steel AIF provides enhanced corrosion resistance together with a maximum applied pressure of approximately 20 Bar, making it particularly suitable for demanding industrial and corrosive water applications.
Function & Operation
Function: Anti water hammer surge arrestor
Hydraulic shock absorber
Operating principle:
Pre-charged diaphragm air cushion
When a sudden change in water velocity creates a hydraulic pressure spike, the surge acts against the flexible diaphragm.
The diaphragm compresses the sealed air cushion inside the chamber, absorbing hydraulic energy before the full shock wave can propagate through the pipeline.
As pipeline pressure stabilises, the compressed air expands and the diaphragm returns towards its normal position.
Pressure & Performance
According to the manufacturer's AIF table, the stainless steel version has:
Maximum applied pressure: 20 kgf/cm² – approximately 19.6 Bar
Body test pressure: 42 kgf/cm² – approximately 41.2 Bar
Normal air chamber pressure: 2.5 kgf/cm² – approximately 2.45 Bar
Size & Chamber Capacity
Available sizes:
DN80 / 3" – 2,465 cm³
DN100 / 4" – 5,535 cm³
DN125 / 5" – 5,535 cm³
DN150 / 6" – 15,325 cm³
DN200 / 8" – 27,230 cm³
DN250 / 10" – 27,230 cm³
DN300 / 12" – 67,860 cm³
This large chamber capacity makes the AIF-S particularly suitable for major pump installations and large pipelines where smaller threaded surge arrestors would have insufficient capacity.
Construction & Materials
Body: Stainless steel
Air chamber: Sealed pressurised diaphragm design
Diaphragm: NBR standard
Optional diaphragm: FKM / Viton
Integrated pressure gauge: Included
Corrosion Resistant Construction
The stainless steel construction makes the AIF-S particularly attractive where improved resistance to environmental corrosion is required compared with the ductile iron version.
This includes exposed industrial installations, coastal locations, water-treatment equipment and demanding process-water systems.
No Sliding Piston
The diaphragm air-cushion principle does not rely upon a sliding piston.
This reduces potential friction, sticking and mechanical wear while allowing the flexible diaphragm to react directly to transient pressure changes.
Because the air cushion remains separated from the water by the diaphragm, compressed air is not intentionally introduced into the pipeline during normal operation.
Installation
Z-Tide confirms that the arrestor may be installed:
Vertically or Horizontally
The flanged AIF configuration also incorporates a pressure gauge, allowing the air-chamber pressure to be checked during commissioning and maintenance.
Where Water Hammer Occurs
Water hammer commonly develops:
Downstream of check valves
Following rapid solenoid valve closure
During pump start-up
During sudden pump shutdown
At fast-acting control valves
In long pipeline systems
The AIF-S should be positioned appropriately within the system to absorb the transient pressure energy before damaging shock waves propagate through the pipework.
Typical Applications
Pump stations
Industrial process water
Water treatment systems
Cooling water systems
Irrigation networks
Large water distribution systems
Coastal installations
Corrosive industrial environments
Fire water systems
Industrial pumping installations
Why Choose the Stainless AIF-S?
Compared with the ductile iron AIF-D, the stainless version provides two particularly useful advantages:
Higher maximum pressure – approximately 20 Bar
Improved corrosion resistance
It retains the same large DN80–DN300 size range and air chambers up to 67,860 cm³, while the stainless construction is tested to 42 kgf/cm².
Related Products & Categories
