Steel Drums vs. Fiber Drums

Are you looking to purchase drums to store or ship materials? Two of the most popular options are steel drums and fiber drums. Before you commit to buying one over the other, you should learn about what sets each apart and which would be better in certain circumstances. Take a look at some of the differences below.

Steel drums are more durable than fiber drums.

If you’re going to be storing something inside of your drums that requires fire resistance, steel drums are your best bet. They can withstand just about anything and can even survive some of the absolute worst weather conditions. Fiber drums, meanwhile, won’t prove to be as durable, which is why you should steer clear of using them to store some substances.

Fiber drums offer more resistance to corrosion than steel drums.

Although steel drums will stand up to a lot of things, corrosion isn’t one of them. Steel drums will start to show signs of corrosion much sooner than fiber drums will since fiber drums are typically coated with either a foil or poly lining inside of the paper exterior. This stops fiber drums from corroding.

Fiber drums are a lot lighter than steel drums.

If you’re going to be shipping your drums and cost is a concern, you can save quite a bit of money by going with fiber drums instead of steel ones. Fiber drums are usually a lot lighter than steel drums, which will cut down on your shipping costs. Fiber drums are also less expensive to buy in the first place.

Steel drums and fiber drums can both be used to hold a variety of materials.

The great thing about both steel and fiber drums is that you can use them to hold almost anything. They are both acceptable for storing and transporting hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Additionally, you can place solid or liquid materials into them without a problem.

Whether you decide to go with steel drums or fiber drums, Container Distributors has you covered. We have drums for just about any occasion and can set you up with them quickly. Call us at 800-366-5098 today to place an order.