The challenges of harsh environments

• Dust and particulates – In mines and cement plants, dust doesn’t just clog filters, it erodes blade edges, builds up on impellers, and changes aerodynamic performance. Even a thin layer of build-up can reduce efficiency and increase vibration.

• Heat and UV exposure – Rooftop cooling towers and outdoor installations subject fans to high thermal loads and UV degradation. Materials that aren’t UV-stabilised or heat-resistant will fatigue, warp, or lose structural integrity over time.

• Corrosive conditions – Coastal installations, chemical plants, and wastewater treatment facilities expose fans to salt spray, moisture, and aggressive gases. This accelerates corrosion of hubs, bearings, and fasteners.

• Vibration and load cycles – Harsh duty cycles in mining or energy plants mean repeated start-stop loads, resonance risks, and heavy vibration. Over time, these stresses fatigue even the strongest components.

Engineering responses to fans for Africa

Blade material selection

Composite blades with high dust resistance, UV stability, and thermal tolerance outperform traditional materials in tough environments.

Protective coatings

Epoxy-coated impellers, anti-corrosion hubs, and stainless steel hardware add years of service life.

Modular components

Replaceable hubs, blades, or impellers make maintenance easier and reduce downtime when parts eventually wear.

Aerodynamic optimisation

Blade shapes designed to resist dust build-up and maintain efficiency under load cycles reduce performance losses.

Why it matters

Every hour of downtime in a mine or plant costs more than time. A fan built to withstand harsh environments isn’t just another component – it’s a safeguard against lost production, safety risks, and costly repairs. That’s why we recommend Multi-Wing fans.

Their blades can be manufactured in a range of materials, each engineered for specific properties – whether UV stability, vibration damping, temperature tolerance, or corrosion resistance.

We’ll help you choose the right one for your application:

• Glass-reinforced polypropylene (PPG)

• Glass-reinforced polyamide (PAG nylon)

• Anti-static glass-reinforced polyamide (PAGAS nylon)

• Vibration-stabilised glass-reinforced polyamide (PAGST super-tough nylon)

• Aluminium (AL)