Stainless steel remains popular in providing products and components for certain industrial concerns. One of the areas stainless steel sheets suppliers serves is the food and beverage industry. Depending upon the specific grade, this metal finds its way into a variety of different applications throughout this industry. The various government and other agency guidelines provide information and specifications on what specific grades are suitable and safe for diverse food and beverage grade applications. In Minneapolis, great care is taken to assure food grade stainless steel continues to meet the highest industrial standards possible.
Beverage and Food Grades of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel comes in approximately 150 grades. However, not all are suitable for use in the food and beverage industry. The most common grades are:
* 304: This grade remains the most commonly used for certain industries including:
* Brewing
* Dairy
* Food
* 316: This is the second most common grade and essentially, serves applications identical to those of 304. However, because 316 contains more nickel, it has a higher corrosion resistance
* 430: This, while in use for certain food and beverage containers, requires more washing and drying following usage. This is the result of its lower nickel content making it less corrosion and temperature resistant
In these industries, experienced stainless steel sheets suppliers supply grades 304 and 316 for most containers and pipework. These are also widely used for food contact equipment components. However, when it comes to housings, equipment enclosures and splashbacks, the grade of stainless steel in use are 430 – a 17% chromium ferritic stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Sheets Suppliers and the Food and Beverage Industry
In Minneapolis, the food and beverage industry require metals that meet certain specifications. As a result, stainless steel sheets suppliers always be sure to keep various grades of this metal in stock. Among those they most commonly offer to their food and beverage industrial customers are the ever popular 304, 316 and 430.
