Material and Surface Treatment
300 Series Stainless Steel
There are over 150 grades of stainless steel. The two most commonly used are 304 and 316.
Type 304 stainless steel is the most common grade, also known as A2
Type 316, second most common, known as maine grade due to its increased resistance to cholride corrosion.
Stainless steel benefits
- low maintenance
- relatively low cost
- resistance to corrosion and staining
- can be steam cleaned/sterilized
- long life
- 100% recyclable
- resistance to contamination
Material Finish
Stainless steel is naturally passivated by exposure to air and other oxidizers, additional surface treatments often are needed to prevent corrosion.
Nitric or mild organic acids are used to remove shop contamination. Additional information on Nitric Acid based Cleaning/Passivation treatment can be found in ASTMA380.
Most surface defects are caused from fabrication. Contaminations from weld spatter to improper storage can be prevented with proper handling procedures. Additionally for the removal of surface defects mechanical polishing and eletropolishing are also available. Mechanical polishing is the process of improving the surface condition by grinding, polishing and buffing. Electropolishing is the process of smoothing and streamlining the surface through chemicals. The smoothness of the material is the primary advantage of electropolishing.
Linings
ECTFE/ETFE/ PTFE / PFA Coating is recommended where Highly Corrosive and Abrasive products are processed . This Corrosion resistance coating is carried out on MS/SS material of processing equipment.
Advantages of ECTFE/ETFE / PTFE / PFA:
- Chemical resistance
- Maintenance free
- Ease in cleaning
- Safe while handling HAZARDOUS material.
- Lower cost and higher performance than other exotic materials
