What makes stainless steel so Sanitary?

Stainless steel wins hands down when it comes to sanitary needs. Whether it’s sanitary valves, sanitary strainers, or sanitary clamps, it doesn’t really matter. Stainless steel is extremely sanitary, as well as very durable. A stainless steel pipe has a lifespan of more than 100 years. 

In fact, stainless steel covers a wide range of steel types. Stainless steel comes in many forms, but all of them share the same “stainless” properties. In a two-step process, stainless steel is made from iron and carbon. It doesn’t matter if it is for sanitary valves or anything else, the first step is to molten raw pig iron and remove its impurities. As iron oxidizes very easily, normal steel corrodes and rusts very easily.

Over time, traditional steel rusts and pits due to oxygen exposure. Pits can trap products (food, bacteria, etc.). Most steel can become a sanitary nightmare because of this. Due to its corrosion resistance, stainless steel does not form these pits that trap food and other products, making it much easier to clean and maintain.

You can find sanitary stainless steel products in our selection. With our sanitary fittings and pipes, you have access to everything you need to manage your plant or facility properly.

Why do we use stainless steel in sanitary process system?

As with all steels, stainless steel is primarily composed of iron and carbon. Steel is made in two steps. First, iron ore is smelted in a blast furnace. Molten raw “pig iron” is blown with high purity oxygen in modern plants to reduce its carbon content. Modern plants reduce the carbon content of molten raw “pig iron” by blowing high purity oxygen into it.

The other type of steel we’ll see in sanitary process are precipitation hardened martensitic or semi-austenitic steels. These steels, which include 17-4PH feature the addition of elements like aluminum, copper, and niobium which makes the steel extremely strong while still easily machined. The properties of stainless steel, particularly austenitic steels, make it an excellent choice for sanitary process equipment in addition to corrosion resistance. As we’ve touched on already, stainless steel is strong, durable, easily fabricated, relatively cheap, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to clean. As a result, we can machine, weld, and shape steel into almost any shape. Finished steel products will be strong, durable and perform over a wide range of temperatures. What makes “stainless” “stainless” is its resistance to corrosion. Whenever steel is exposed to the elements, it rusts and pits. Pits like these can trap product. In a sanitary process, this is not acceptable. It is difficult to clean these places, and once the passive layer is gone, the steel is vulnerable to further attack.

Why Stainless Steel is best for Sanitary Fitlers?

In industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, sanitation standards are much higher and strictly enforced. During the production process, sanitary filters help filter out solid particles from liquids and prevent contamination by removing solid particles from liquids. Here’s why stainless steel is ideal for sanitary filters in order to have the best filtering equipment.

Naturally Sanitary

Industries and businesses that prioritize sanitation have long favored stainless steel. Corrosion, such as rust, would otherwise turn your facility and equipment into contamination hazards. Stainless steel is naturally corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel is also non-porous, which makes it unique. This means there are no pores or small holes in the metal surface for dirt and grime to get stuck in. Thus, you can easily increase the hygiene of your facility without needing to devote more time and effort to cleaning stainless-steel equipment.

Durability and Tolerance

Stainless steel is also highly durable and has a high tolerance to temperature and pressure, which makes it ideal for sanitary filters. As a result, it is ideal for production processes with acidic conditions, such as ketchup. A stainless steel piece of equipment can typically last 100 years under regular operation conditions. In addition, sanitary strainers are able to endure high pressures and high temperatures without losing their integrity, something that is often required in the food and beverage industry. Temperatures as high as 1700 degrees Fahrenheit can be tolerated with different grades of stainless steel, including 304 and 316L.

Highly Customizable

As a general rule, steel is highly malleable, and stainless steel is no different. As a result, custom sanitary filters can be tailored to meet even the most specific requirements. Food and beverage production has many different uses, and stainless steel can be molded to fit just about any equipment. The flow rates, pressure, and quantity of your production process can all be considered when choosing a filter.

Is stainless steel more sanitary?

A stainless steel metal product is the most hygienic option for any industry due to its ease of cleaning and self-healing surfaces.

Stainless steel sanitary fittings are classified according to the three categories of vessels they may be constructed for: pipes, tubing, and  hoses. Pipes are hollow tubes of uniform substance with certain rigidity and permanence. Tubes and fittings are typically characterised by exact rather than nominal measurements. Hoses are commonly thought to be distinct from pipes and tubing.

Their versatility and lightweight make them more versatile and easy to use, and they are often made of multiple layers of different materials depending on their purpose. It is possible to categorize sanitary fittings based on the type of interaction and operation they perform. The most basic feature of sanitary fittings is proper sizing, which is determined by the form of Tri Clover Sanitary Fitting used.

Tri Clover Sanitary fittings

Tri-Clover (TC) Clamp

In stainless steel fluid transport systems, Tri Clamp (also known as Tri Clover) is a system for making sanitary interconnections of tubing.

Tri- Clover Ferrule

Tri Clover Ferrules are very popular due to their smooth, non-contaminating internal pipework joints. Two ferrules are compressed together using a clamp and a gasket between the two ferrules provides a tight seal.

Tri- Clover Caps

The Tri-Clover Cap seals an open tube or TC Fitting. A hole is cut out in the center of Tri-Clover Caps. Connects tubes of various sizes with custom-made TC caps.

Tri- Clover Fitting X MNPT

With Tri Clover Compatible tri clamp X NPT threaded adapters, home brewers can easily integrate tri clover tri clamp sanitary fittings into their brewery. Brewers Hardware’s Tri Clover compatible fittings have both inside and outside NPT threads.

Tri- Clover Fitting X FNPT

Female NPT Adapters are used to convert Tri-Clover clamps to Female NPT threads.

Tri- Clover Hose Barb

Hose barbs with Tri-Clamps for brewing. Hose Barbs are often called Tri-Clover hose barbs or Tri-Clamp Fittings. A Tri-Clover Hose Barb Adapter connects a Tri Clamp to a Hose. You can choose between 1/4″ and 2″ Hose Barbs.

90 Degree Tri- Clover Hose Barb

A 90  Degree Hose Barb adapter connects to a Hose at a right angle. The hose is no longer kinked.

Tri- Clover Elbow 

In food grade and brewing applications, the Tri-Clamp-Elbow is typically used whenever a 90 degree bend is required.

Tri- Clover Tee

 Tri-Clover Tees are made up of three Tri-Clamps (TC) at each end. They are essentially simplified manifolds used for regulating fluid direction. They are made of stainless steel.  The Tri-Clover Tee Fittings are used for combining or separating fluid flow.

Tri- Clover Cross

The tubing has a cross-shaped shape and is connected with Tri-Clamps at the ends. Multiple directions can be directed with this device. Produced from stainless steel 304 for long-lasting durability