Stainless steel has established itself as the base material for furniture and equipment used in the food processing, cleanrooms and healthcare environments, for nearly all applications. This is predominantly because stainless steel has the ability to resist corrosion. In addition, its smooth, non-porous surface inhibits bacterial growth and makes it incredibly easy to keep clean and sterilise.

These factors make it the perfect material for designing specialist furniture and equipment intended for hygiene-critical industries. In this guide, we discuss the benefits in more detail.

Stainless steel is corrosion resistant

Stainless steel resists corrosion from strong cleaning agents and acidic or alkaline foods used in the food processing and cleanroom / pharmaceutical sectors.

This corrosion resistance is due to the stainless steel's chromium content which forms a thin, invisible layer of chromium rich oxide; a passive protective layer which acts as a barrier, preventing the iron from reacting with oxygen and corroding. This protective layer will repair itself once any damage is removed and it is exposed to oxygen once again.

  • article

Different grades of austenitic stainless steel offer different levels of corrosion resistance. Find out more about the common grades of stainless steel and their resistance below:

304

AISI 304 (grade 1.4301) offers good overall corrosion resistance. It is able to withstand most cleaning and sterilisation routines without corroding, including mechanical (high bar pressure), thermal (high temperature – up to 870c) and chemical (detergent with a chloride content up to 200 mg/l) cleaning.

304L

AISI 304L, 'L' standing for ‘low carbon’ has a maximum carbon content of 0.03% compared to standard 304-grade stainless steel which has a maximum carbon content of 0.07%. The low carbon content helps to ensure seamless welds to minimise the risk of harbouring bacteria & contaminants.

316

AISI 316 (grade 1.4401), has very similar hygienic qualities as 304, but due to its 2% molybdenum content, it is more resistant to pitting as a result of corrosion. It can safely withstand chloride content of up to 500 mg/l alongside the most severe sterilisation regimes. This makes it resistant to higher levels of chloride found in salt solutions, brines and cleaning agents. This is particularly suitable for use in the fish industry and pharmaceutical sectors.

Electropolishing

Electropolishing 304 or 316-grade stainless steel removes a very thin layer of the stainless steel to obtain a smoother surface (<0.3 RA versus <0.8 RA), removing surface oxides and impurities, preventing bacterial growth and the formation of biofilms. By removing these microscopic pits and impurities, the smoother electropolished surface allows contaminants to be wiped away more easily and makes the disinfection process more effective.

The electropolishing reduces the number of particles that can come off the stainless steel surface due to normal wear and tear which is important for pharmaceutical cleanrooms where even tiny amounts of small particles can contaminate the products being produced. Therefore, electropolishing 304 or 316-grade stainless steel is the ideal hygienic solution for pharmaceutical companies, especially for grade-B cleanrooms, to help maintain a sterile environment.

  • Hygienox electropolished trolleys

Stainless steel is strong and durable

Stainless steel is a robust, strong material that can withstand impacts and endure rigorous and demanding environments. This makes it inherently long-lasting and able to provide the hygienic design principles needed of furniture for food processing and pharmaceutical/cleanroom environments.

Stainless steel is easy to clean

Its non-porous, non-absorbent surface helps to resist the accumulation of biofilms, reducing the risk of creating a hygiene hazard. The smooth surface of stainless steel makes it easy to effectively clean and disinfect. After all, the rougher the material, the more food and micro-organisms can stick to the peaks and valleys across the surface. Any electropolished 304 or 316-grade stainless steel will have an even smoother surface due to its lower RA (roughness average) making it ideal for sterile environments.

Stainless steel is hygienic

In food and drink processing, medical, cleanroom and pharmaceutical environments, maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is of the utmost importance.

Due to the above hygienic advantages of 304 and 316-grade stainless steel, hygiene teams are able to keep furniture clean and sterile. Used in combination with Teknomek’s hygienic design principles, the furniture removes potential hiding places for bacteria and micro-organisms and further reduces the risk of contamination. Our design principles also aid the cleaning process, making it easier and quicker to keep the furniture sterile.

Stainless steel is environmentally friendly

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, and a high percentage of recycled scrap is used in its production. Around 60% of the global production of stainless steel makes use of recycled materials. This reduces its environmental impact and makes it an eco-friendly choice. When a product is no longer required, it can be easily melted down and recycled once again. Unlike certain other metals, such as aluminium, recycled stainless steel retains its quality and so is not limited in the applications to which it can be applied.

Stainless steel provides lifetime value

Its strength and robustness allow stainless steel products to be thinner than similar items made of lesser materials. Stainless steel can withstand impact while retaining its shape and appearance for many years with correct handling, reducing repair costs. When looking at the lifespan of an item of stainless steel furniture, its return on investment is extremely high.

Need advise about the benefits of stainless steel and other hygienic materials?

Contact our Teknomek experts today.