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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Stainless steel cages for exotic birds are failing
Q. Will stainless steel produce carbon as black residue? I am a consumer who purchased two stainless steel cages for my families exotic birds, one that is endangered list. My dilemma is as follows. The cages, which were purchased in January 2004, have a severe black residue discharging on the surfaces of the cages. Likewise, the bars of the cages are striping. There is also severe rusting on the cages. It has been brought to my attention that the cages, which were made in China, could be carbon steel, finished in stainless. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Also, are there any labs that test for the composition of metal?
Mina JohnsonConsumer - West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
2004
A. I've seen stainless cages turn slightly black in areas with prolonged exposure to animal waste. I would not consider it "severe" though. It wipes off easily with a towel and cleaner and in the worst cases I've seen its just slightly etched afterwards. To me it sounds like you have been given a plated cage. You mentioned severe rusting and striping..stainless can discolor and even rust but it takes quite a bit to make it do so.
My recommendation to you is get a new cage asap. I've read numerous times that plated cages can lead to heavy metals poisoning of animals. You said cage is "striping" is a layer peeling off? I've seen plating flaking away and the animal(sugar glider in this case)eating the metal flakes, which are quite sharp, and slicing up the inside of their mouth, throat, and anywhere else in the digestive tract it makes it to.
Jason Aube- Flint, Michigan
2004
A. One way to check the cage that you have is to test it with a magnet. Most cages are made of 300 series stainless. If the magnet sticks or you feel any magnetic attraction at all, then it is made of carbon steel or of some other type of stainless. Stainless can corrode, even 300 series, however it should just wipe off and should never have anything flaking off of it.
Robert GimmelMachine Shop - Simpsonville, Kentucky, USA
2004
A. Hello Mina,
In response to your letter dated in March 2004, about your Stainless Steel cage. Sorry to hear about your problem with the Stainless Steel cage rusting. The shame of it all is that there are thousands of consumers in the US that are being misled because they are not informed that there are definitely big differences in the quality of stainless steel today.
The leading supplier of Stainless Steel is in Germany. Use 304 Medical grade stainless steel. All of the stainless steel coming from China and the middle east is mixed with other elements such as chrome which is a lot less expensive and gives a very shiny look. This misleads consumers to think that it is true stainless, when it is not. If you leave these cages outside they will rust and corrode immediately. Many pet stores know this and don't care what they sell to the consumer. They only sell it to make fast big profits.
I recommend you go back to the store and return your cages because it will only get worse. Some stainless steel cages have been outside for over 1 year at the Theater of the Sea in Marathon Florida and are still in great condition; also at the Parrot Jungle Island in Miami. No rust, or corrosion and this is over 1 year in the salty, humid Florida climate.
BUYER BEWARE, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF CHINA OR PAKISTAN.
Richard K- East Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
2004
Q. I just recently purchased a Stainless steel bird cage that seems to have some sort of light green residue left on it in various locations that I cannot clean off? Is this due to an improper passivation? I am at a loss at what it could be. I don't want my bird to get sick.
Tina Gujer- Palo Alto, California, United States
June 23, 2010
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