Electric Motors by Frame Material
Motor frame material directly affects strength, vibration resistance, corrosion protection, thermal behavior, and application suitability.
Choosing the correct frame material ensures long-term reliability in demanding environments — from food & beverage washdown lines to heavy industrial conveyors, sawmills, and oil & gas facilities.
Crossman supplies motors in cast-iron, stainless-steel, rolled/fabricated steel, and aluminum frames, all built to NEMA standards, available in TEFC, ODP, explosion-proof, and washdown-duty enclosures with inverter-duty windings.
Whether your priority is strength, weight, corrosion resistance, hygiene, or cost-efficiency, we’ll help you select the right motor construction.
Browse Motors by Frame Material
Select a housing type to match your duty environment.
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant — HVAC & light industrial OEM duty
Heavy-duty industrial — superior rigidity and vibration control
Washdown, food & beverage, sanitary & corrosive applications
Versatile, strong, cost-efficient — OEM, industrial & agricultural duty
Material Selection Guide
Cast Iron Harsh industrial, mining, sawmills, refineries
Stainless Steel Food, washdown, marine, chemical
Rolled/Fab Steel OEM skids, ag, conveyors, industrial general duty
Aluminum Lightweight OEM, HVAC, small conveyor/fan systems
Material choice protects equipment — not just the motor.
Engineering Considerations
Vibration & Shock Load Cast iron & fabricated steel excel
Corrosion Resistance Stainless steel best, aluminum good
Weight Aluminum lightest, cast-iron heaviest
Heat Dissipation Aluminum excellent, steel & iron robust
Sanitation Requirements Stainless steel necessary in food/pharma
Cost Aluminum & rolled steel typically most economical
VFD & Duty Cycle Compatibility
All frame types available in:
Inverter-duty designs
Class F/H insulation
Sealed or roller bearings
Shaft grounding options
Severe-duty constructions
Motor materials influence thermal performance, vibration behavior & noise profile in variable-speed duty.
Request Material Selection Assistance
Not sure which frame material suits your environment?
We help evaluate:
Corrosive exposure
Vibration & shock load
Sanitation & washdown needs
Weight vs rigidity requirements
VFD and thermal duty considerations
Installation environment & lifecycle cost
Request a Quote | Request Spec Sheet