Comparing food-grade 304 stainless steel pipe to industrial stainless steel pipe

Food-grade 304 stainless steel pipe is a type of stainless steel pipe used in the food industry.  It is corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant. In the food industry, it can also be used as a heat exchanger or as an insulator due to its chemical resistance.

Composition of heavy metals

Stainless steel pipe is made from a variety of materials that are difficult to distinguish from one another. In stainless steel pipes, aluminum is used for two purposes: 1) It is an alloy that is easy to machine 2) When exposed to water, it is highly corrosion-resistant.

The surface

The surface is the most obvious difference. 304 stainless steel pipes for food must have a BA-grade surface, which is a bright surface;  industrial pipes have no surface requirements, but the surface is often rough, and the key is corrosion resistance.

Requirements for processes

When food-grade 304 stainless steel pipes are in direct contact with food, the inside finish is extremely important.  The inner wall needs to be polished and brightly annealed to make the tube wall smoother. Clogging can be prevented if there is a liquid medium inside.

Standards for implementation

The reference standard for food grade 304 stainless steel pipe is QB/T 2467-2017 "Stainless Steel Pipe Standard for Food Industry" Stainless steel specifications offer a lot more flexibility when it comes to wall thickness and thickness range.  As for industrial pipes, there is little flexibility and no standard for wall thickness or thickness range.

Application scope

Stainless steel pipes of food grade are generally used in manufacturing equipment and assembly lines for food, beverages, wine, medicine, etc .Industrial pipes are commonly used in boilers, heat exchangers, mechanical parts, sewage pipes, and pressure pipes for chemical industries.

What Makes ‘Food Grade Stainless Steel Safe?

A stainless steel's grade is determined by how it performs against various tests and requirements.  In the case of stainless steel, however, these measurements refer to its quality, durability, and temperature resistance.