Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and recyclable. It is a popular material for manufacturing and lab uses. Two corrosion-resistant stainless-steel alloys, type 304 and type 316, are ideal for a variety of applications.
It is likely that your laboratory equipment contains many items and parts made of Stainless Steel.
TYPE 304 - Type 304 is commonly used for chemical processing equipment, for food, dairy, and beverage industries, for heat exchanges and for the milder chemicals.
TYPE 316 - Type 316 contains molybdenum to control pit type attack, so it is slightly more corrosion resistant than type 304. Type 316 is also ideal for chemical and pulp handling equipment, for photographic equipment, food and beverage processing and for dispensing equipment and equipment that will be exposed to salt water.
CLEANING & CARE FOR STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless Steel is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean.
Clean frequently: To avoid build-up of hard, stubborn stains, you should clean your stainless steel frequently. If chlorinated cleaners are used, you must rinse thoroughly. Wipe dry immediately to remove all traces of chlorination. After wiping the equipment down, allow it to air dry because oxygen helps maintain the stainless steel’s passivity film.
Clean with the Polish Lines: Some stainless steels come with visible polishing lines (or grain). When visible lines are present, you should always scrub in a motion that is parallel to them. When the grain cannot be seen, use a soft cloth or plastic scouring pad.
Use Alkaline, Alkaline Chlorinated, or Non-Chloride Containing Cleaners: While many traditional cleaners are loaded with chlorides, industry is providing an ever-increasing choice of non-chloride cleaners.
Treat Your Water: Softening hard water can do much to reduce deposits. Certain filters can be installed to remove distasteful and corrosive elements. If you are unsure of the proper water treatment, contact a treatment specialist.
Use the Proper Tools: When cleaning your stainless-steel products, take care to use non-abrasive tools. Soft cloths and plastic scouring pads will not hard the steel’s passive layer. Stainless steel pads can also be used but the scrubbing motion must be in the direction of the manufacturers polishing marks.
Stainless steel has always remained one of the favorite materials of choice for labs due to its nature. From countertops to furniture, stainless steel can be used in interesting and innovative ways to ensure that equipment lasts for a very long time. Laboratories are often a high-risk environment for various types of furniture and material types. Understanding what hazardous materials may affect your furniture and what your lab can do to avoid these damages is a crucial means of saving time and money.
As a leader in Scientific Equipment Repair and Medical Equipment Calibrations, Scientific Instrument Center works with many corporations, universities, and hospitals providing the highest level of laboratory services.
If you have questions about your laboratory equipment and would like to discuss options for repairing or maintaining the equipment, please contact us toll free at (800) 686-8965
Our skilled staff members understand the nuances of instrument calibration and the manufacturers train our technicians, so any inspections we make mean your equipment is to quality standards. For more than 30 years, SIC has served businesses that use a wide variety of diagnostic and scientific equipment. We are specialists!
Get a free consultation. Call (800) 686-8965
