Stainless steel in the food industry.

July 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Stainless steel is a versatile material that is used in many industries and for many products, largely because it has a low rust and corrosion occurrence and is an ideal material of exterior applications. Stainless steel is all around us and although we may not pay much attention, stainless steel is almost everywhere in our daily lives. One of the obvious places is in the home in the form of cutlery and sometimes architectural products such as stainless steel handrails and balustrades.

Different stainless steel grades are used depending on the use of the stainless steel and for the food processing industry grades 304 and 316 are the most commonly used. There are other grades of stainless steel used for the food industry depending on the environment it will be in.

A large industry where stainless steel is used is the food processing industry and the grades of stainless steel used are really important in order to the stop the occurrence of rust and corrosion.

Stainless steel is a very easy material to clean and maintain and this is a very important aspect in the food industry, any material used has to be able to withstand any cleaning carried out that is required by law.

Temperature is also an important aspect in the food industry and there will be many different areas of the food industry where temperatures will change. The grade and type of stainless steel will change depending on the requirements of its environment.

The correct grade of stainless steel has to be able to stand up to certain temperatures and the rigorous cleaning methods that will be required in a particular area of the food industry.
The design of stainless steel equipment in the food industry is strict and has to follow certain guidelines and ensures that the stainless steel products are non contaminating and cleanable.

The surface finish of stainless steel is another important factor and in general the rougher the surface of stainless steel, the easier those food particles will become stuck to the material. This will play a part in cross contamination. This will then have an impact on the cleaning process and make the stainless steel harder and longer to clean.
A smoother stainless steel surface will reduce the amount of matter that sticks to the material, be easier to clean and thus be safer.

There are over a hundred different grades of stainless steel and all are used in different environments and for different uses.

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Heathbrook supply Architectural products, Stainless steel and Aluminium products. http://www.heathbrook.co.uk