04 · Buyer's guide
Composite vs carbon steel: which hard shell suits you?
Composite and carbon steel chambers are both hard-shell chambers. The real difference is how the pressure vessel is built, and that shapes the weight, pressure rating, durability, look and price.
This guide explains the trade-offs so you can choose the chamber that fits your space and how you plan to use it.
See the comparison
At a glance
The key differences
| Composite | Carbon steel | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's built | Moulded fibre-reinforced polymer (fibreglass and resin; carbon fibre on premium models) | Rolled, welded steel plate, coated inside and out. The traditional pressure-vessel material |
| Pressure | Home and wellness range, typically up to around 1.5–2.0 ATA depending on model | Built for the higher range, 2.0 ATA and above. The standard for commercial and multi-person chambers |
| Weight | Much lighter. Easier to deliver, move and fit into a home or studio | Very heavy. Freight, access and floor loading need planning |
| Corrosion | Doesn't rust | Protected by its coating, which needs looking after over time |
| Feel and design | Smooth, modern moulded shapes; warm to the touch | Solid, robust, medical-grade feel; more industrial look |
| Best suited to | Home users and boutique studios | Clinics, recovery centres, sports teams and high-volume use |
| Price | Generally lower at a comparable size | Generally higher at a comparable size |
Composite chambers
The shell is moulded rather than welded. That keeps it light and allows smoother, more modern shapes, often with larger viewing windows.
- Lighter: simpler delivery and placement, including upstairs rooms and smaller spaces.
- Rust-free: no corrosion, even with humidity building up inside during sessions.
- Comfortable: the shell insulates well, so it doesn't feel cold to the touch.
- Modern look: sits nicely in a home, studio or wellness space.
Our composite models: OxiVaultt TecnoLay Ultra-Light, OxyAir OLV-YTD02.
Why choose carbon steel?
Carbon steel is the choice when pressure, durability and heavy use matter more than weight or looks.
- Built for higher pressure: the proven material for chambers rated at 2.0 ATA and above.
- Made for heavy use: handles constant pressurising and depressurising, session after session.
- Proven and well understood: what engineering standards and inspectors know best, which helps with insurance and risk requirements.
- Scales to larger chambers: seated, multi-person and modular chambers are far easier to build in steel.
- Long service life: can be recoated, repaired and kept in service for many years.
Our carbon steel models: OxiVaultt TecnoLay Ultra, Cube Mini, Cube Standard and Duo Modular.
The trade-off with steel: more weight, higher freight cost, more planning for delivery and installation, and ongoing care of the protective coating.
Other materials
Stainless steel and aluminium
We also offer two premium metal options. The OxiVaultt TecnoSit Ultra has a stainless steel seating compartment that resists corrosion without a protective coating. The OxyAir OLV-YTD04 uses an aluminium alloy shell, combining a strong metal vessel with less weight than steel.
Choose composite if you…
- are setting up at home or in a boutique studio
- want something lighter and easier to deliver and position
- prefer a modern look and a warm, comfortable shell
- want a lower price for a one-person lying chamber
Choose carbon steel if you…
- run a clinic, recovery centre or team facility
- expect many sessions a day, every day
- want a seated or multi-person chamber
- value maximum robustness and a long service life
Before you buy
Questions worth asking
- Maximum rated pressure: make sure it matches how you plan to use the chamber.
- Shipped weight and dimensions: check doorways, access and floor loading, especially for steel.
- Certification: ask which pressure-vessel standard the chamber is built and tested to. See our certifications.
- Power and placement: confirm the space, ventilation and power supply for the chamber and oxygen equipment.
Still deciding?
Tell us about your space and how you plan to use the chamber, and we'll recommend the right material and model.
Ask our teamBack to all chamberssales@corerecovery.com.au · 02 7245 4715
These products are intended for wellness, lifestyle, and educational use only. They are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before use if you have any medical conditions.