Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains between 10.5% and 18% chromium, which provides stainless steel with its characteristic corrosion-resistant property. Stainless steel tanks are considered ideal for food and beverage applications, and 30% of the stainless steel used for commercial equipment is utilized in food manufacturing and beverage production.
How Corrosion Resistance Takes Place
Chromium oxidizes the stainless-steel surface of food processing vats and equipment, improving their resistance to corrosion by over 200%. Because of this, stainless steel offers important biocompatible and hygienic properties that make food and beverage production safe and sanitary. In particular, stainless steel grades 304 and 316 have the high chromium content that makes the material appropriate for food production. Chromium oxidizes the stainless steel equipment and creates a nonporous surface devoid of any minute cracks that may be vulnerable to bacteria. Stainless steel is easily cleaned and can be sterilized again and again without damaging or degrading the material. The nonporous surface of stainless steel is a significant aspect that makes it suitable for the food and beverage industry. This specific material helps to prevent the absorption of liquids, bacteria, and contaminants, and guaranteeing that the equipment and tanks remain hygienic and easy-to-maintain. Stainless steel’s corrosion and stain resistance enhances food safety and assures compliance with strict hygiene standards.
Standards for Stainless Steel Food & Beverage Processing Equipment
Stainless steel is recognized as a safe material for food and beverage processes by way of 3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. 3-A SSI is dedicated to promoting food safety through the design of hygienic equipment. The organization plays an important role, as it sets industry standards for hygienic design, encouraging the usage of materials such as stainless steel that meet stringent sanitary criteria. The endorsement guarantees that stainless steel tanks and equipment adhere to the highest standards of safety, cleanliness and hygiene.
The Fabrication of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel can be professionally fabricated into virtually any shape or form to fit the requirements of diverse food processing applications. This malleable raw material is used to fabricate large-scale food processing equipment, such as vats and refrigerators. Stainless steel’s superior malleability offers a significant benefit to the food and beverage industry. This flexible formability allows fabrication of intricate and complex custom equipment, stepping up to the diverse requirements for food processing, storage, and transportation. Though it is easily capable of being fabricated, stainless steel is still exceptionally strong and can deliver superior resistance to high temperatures. Stainless steel food manufacturing and beverage processing equipment offers long life and durability, lasting for years with minimal required maintenance.
When working with manufacturing equipment in food processing facilities, it is vital to have all the essential components. However, finding the ideal part isn’t always as easy as you might think. When problems arise and a specific part is needed, custom fabrication from Zwirner Equipment is the solution. Zwirner Equipment Company delivers over three decades of industrial equipment experience and knowledge. Our specialties include remanufacturing services and custom fabrication of stainless-steel parts and other equipment. Our team of custom fabrication professionals will design and build equipment specifically for your individual plant applications, such as:
Single or multi-tank systems
Skid-mounted portable units
Manual or automated CIP skid systems and HTST systems
Along with CIP systems, you can also upgrade your existing system and controls with custom fabrication. Doing this will help with your Plant CIP and HTST audits to guarantee that they are operating properly and meet all legal and compliance requirements. The team at Zwirner Equipment invites you to browse our inventory, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t see what you need. We will either fabricate the part you need or help you to source the part – even if we don’t have it.
