Old Cylinders

Southeastern Divers, Inc.

908-A Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville Alabama 35801 - Phone: 256-536-8404

"Training the best divers in North Alabama since 1980."

Caution about older Aluminum Cylinders

Prior to 1989 many Aluminum SCUBA cylinders were manufactured using 6351-T6 alloy. This alloy is susceptible to cracking in the threaded area of the neck of the cylinder. This phenomenon is known as Sustained Load Cracking (SLC).

The U.S. Department of Transportation now requires that these cylinders undergo an additional procedure at the time of hydrostatic testing. The procedure is known as an eddy current test. Many dive shops also require this procedure as part of the annual inspection procedure.

Southeastern Divers Inc. follows these same guidelines. In order to fill a cylinder made with 6351-T6 alloy the cylinder MUST have a visual inspection from Southeastern Divers Inc. We will ONLY fill these cylinders if SDI conducted the current annual inspection.

SDI owns the latest state-of-the-art cylinder inspection equipment. We are capable of detecting SLC in ANY alloy of aluminum cylinder. Upon completion of this inspection you will receive a computer printout of the test results. This test is included in all annual visual inspections conducted by SDI.

Many dive shops around the country now refuse to fill these cylinders. You should consider retiring any cylinder made from this alloy due to inability to have it filled when and where needed.

If you have questions about this policy please ask to speak to the store manager, Greg Ogle.

Thank you for your understanding

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