At Merit Brass, we understand that properly creating, storing, and transporting products is extremely important throughout the food and beverage industry. In the food and beverage industry, raw agricultural materials are transformed into products for consumption by applying labor, machinery, energy, and scientific knowledge. Today, more than 30% of food and beverage applications utilize stainless steel piping material.
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The food and beverage industry is divided into three main segments: production, packaging, and distribution. The production side of the food and beverage industry includes everything from food processing and manufacturing to the creation of beverages, packaged foods, and more.
The packaging side of the food and beverage industry includes product protection, safety, freshness, and brand identity. The distribution side of the food and beverage industry includes the transportation of the final goods to the consumer.
It's crucial that the pipe and piping connections being made are of the utmost quality and will measure up to health and safety standards throughout the production, packaging, and distribution stages. Sanitization is extremely important because the final products in this industry will be consumed.
One of the most common metals used throughout the food and beverage industry is stainless steel. Not only is it easy to clean, but it also does not easily breed bacteria making it a sanitary choice throughout the industry. Stainless Steel is extremely resistant to corrosion and aging resulting in less repairs. Stainless Steel is also able to withstand high temperatures and pressures without altering the state of the metal; it holds its shape under high circumstantial conditions. Lastly, it does not deteriorate when sterilized or cleaned and is resistant to thermal shock.
Austenitic stainless steels are used in various applications within the food and beverage industry.Type 304/L is a very popular grade because of its resistance to oxidation and corrosion. It is also tolerant of the powerful detergents used to keep the production facilities clean. Type 316/L is resistant to salt containing food due to the presence of molybdenum.
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Choosing the right grade of stainless will favorably impact the life of your equipment and reduce your overall life cycle costs. Keep in mind also that stainless steel has an average recycled content of approximately 66%.
Are you interested in learning more about food grade stainless steel pipe fittings? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Is all stainless steel food grade? Certainly, stainless steel is a material of choice for various uses and applications in the food and beverage industry. From cutlery and countertops to walk-in refrigerators and transportation tankers, stainless steel meets specific requirements and standards deemed safe for food contact, processing, preparation, and storage. Nonetheless, though there are many grades of stainless steel, only a few in the 300 and 400 series have food-grade properties suitable for use in the food industry. We explain more below.
The inherent properties of stainless steel alloys, including the corrosion resistance that inspired the material’s name, make it ideal for use with liquids and food products. Like other types of steel, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Yet, stainless steels also contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium with a carbon content of less than 1.2% to create corrosion-resistant products. Other alloying elements like nickel or molybdenum add to the material’s corrosion-resistant properties, but it is the chromium content that provides a passive, protective layer of chromium oxide on the material’s surface for continuous corrosion resistance. Amazingly, even if the surface is scratched, the material will regenerate itself.
Stainless steel’s corrosion resistance is key in preventing foods or beverages from reacting with any harmful substances that could leach into the food. However, for any material to be considered food grade it must meet certain conditions that are compliant with FDA guidelines. In other words, the material must hold certain mechanical properties compatible with the full range of food handling processes in compliance with FDA regulations. The material itself has to be durable, corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and non-porous. It must be of a weight and thickness to withstand repeated washing and rinsing. Food-grade materials must have a smooth finish to easily clean and sanitize the surface. Also, the material must resist chipping, scratching, scoring, pitting, warping, distortion, and decomposition. Finally, the material properties must prevent the migration of harmful substances or the transfer of any odors, tastes, or colors to the food.
The characteristics and properties of food-grade stainless steel check the box on all of these conditions. The strength and durability allow the material to withstand ongoing heavy use and wear from impacts, friction, abrasion, elasticity, and high and low temperature fluctuations. Due to its smooth, non-porous surface, stainless steel also has hygienic properties that greatly reduce the risk of bacterial growth and contamination—viruses, germs, and even stains cannot penetrate the material. Stainless steel’s attractive, shiny appearance is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and because the material combines elasticity, ductility, and hardness, it can be formed into a variety of products suitable for various food-service applications.
As mentioned, though there are many different grades of stainless steel, only a handful in the 300 and 400 series are considered food-grade.
The most widely used stainless steel grade for food-related applications is grade 304, an austenitic type of steel known for its high nickel content and ductility.
Also referred to as “18-8,” due to its 18% chromium and 8% nickel content, 304 is regarded for its corrosion resistance to most oxidizing acids, durability, and ease of sanitizing. The material is also easily welded and formed, which makes it well-suited for fabrication into numerous shapes and sizes for the wide range of products and equipment necessary for food processing and production. Grade 304 is used in the manufacture of refrigerators, sinks, stoves, fermentation tanks, dishwashers, and storage tanks.
Grade 316 is another austenitic stainless steel used in food production. Known for its higher corrosion-resistant properties due to its 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, and 2-3% molybdenum content, 316 is a good choice for food products vulnerable to saline and chloride solutions, i.e., those with high salt or acidic content. It’s also used where cleaning is constant and required frequently, such as in meat processing plants.
The 400 series are ferritic stainless steels also used in food processing applications. Ferritic alloys are magnetic, with corrosion-cracking-resistant properties and strong resistance to milder organic and nitric acids. Grade 420 manufactures slicer blades, knives, spoons, and forks. Grade 430 steel is commonly used in vegetable processing plants for less corrosive-resistant applications like countertops, tables, and food buffer lines. Its lower nickel content makes it less resistant to corrosion but makes grade 430 less expensive and a lower-cost alternative to the 300-series grades for similar applications.
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