Why Food Industries Prefer Stainless Steel 317L for Food Processing Equipment

Both consumers and producers place food safety at the top of their priorities. Stainless steel is not often thought of when you think about food production. But it might. Food is exposed to metals at various stages during its processing. It is important to understand how metals interact with food to avoid any contamination. Many international councils study the impact of different metals and alloys at different stages of food processing. Human ingestion of such alloys may result from the release of significant amounts of metallic elements from the alloy during food preparation.

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel can be described as a mixture of metals. It is also called an alloy. Stainless steel is resistant to tarnishing and rust. It is composed of iron ore and some of the most basic elements on Earth, including silicon, chromium and carbon. The composition must contain a minimum 10.5% chromium by mass and a maximum 1.2% carbon by weight to be considered stainless steel. The element that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistance is chromium. Stainless steel is not what the name suggests, contrary to what it says. The chromium in stainless steel helps it withstand more abuse than standard steel without chromium. There are over 57 types and many proprietary alloys that can be used as standard alloys. They are distinguished by their distinctive composition.

Stainless steel grade 317L, a low-carbon version of grade 317 stainless Steel, is available. It is the same strength as 317 stainless-steel, but has a lower carbon content. This allows for stronger welding.

Manufacturing Process

To reduce the steel’s tendency to harden, it is necessary to machining stainless-steel grade 317L at low speeds with constant feeds. This steel is more durable than grade 304 stainless with a longer stringy chip. You can use most of the traditional fusion and resistance welding methods. Avoid oxyacetylene welding. AWS E/ER317L filler metal is highly recommended

Applications

Grade 317L stainless steel is widely used in the following applications:

• Condensers in fossil

• Food Machinery 

• Food Industry

• Pulp and paper manufacturing

• Nuclear fueled power generation stations

• Chemical and petrochemical process equipment

The WHY?

Stainless steel is an excellent choice for many food handling applications. Food-grade stainless steel can withstand extreme temperatures that melt plastic and the protective oxide layer prevents the formation of rust which could contaminate food. The best reason food made with stainless steel grade is safe for eating is the fact that it doesn’t contain any chemicals that could migrate into foods. This is why it is the preferred choice for food industries. Food processing equipment is simple to maintain and clean. This makes it ideal for bonded seams that are corrosion-resistant and well-bonded. The perfect grade can be chosen that has excellent mechanical and physical properties that work well for the specific industry process.

It is the best way for the industry to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.

b) This preserves the food’s natural colour for a long period of time

c) Available in a variety of decorative finishes.

d) It is better not to allow dirt, bacteria and grime to grow.

e) It is extremely durable and resists corrosion and aging

Austenitic Grade

Much of the stainless steel used for food applications contains chromium between 16-18%. This is because it has the best corrosion resistance in a wide range of foods and beverages. Austenitic grades can be used for the manufacture of cutlery, hollowware and kitchen utensils. Other uses include milk tankers and brewing vessels. For storage and transportation of foods and beverages, high alloy austenitic grades can be used. Molybdenum-containing grades are particularly resistant to salt-containing foods. Because of its wide use in the food industry, 316L/1.4404 can be called “stainless stee; food grade”. The Food industry also uses 304 stainless steel, which is best stainless steel in India for Food Grade Manufacturing.

Ferric Stainless Steel

This is the specific characteristic of Ferritic stainless steel i.e., magnetism. It is used to manufacture household appliances (dishwashers and refrigerators, ovens, etc.). Grade 430/1.4016 is sufficient for some applications that do not require high corrosion resistance. This grade also has the advantage of being affordable. 1.4016’s price is considerably lower than other austenitic grades. This makes it an affordable choice. They can be used in high-oxidizing environments. They are resistant to stress corrosion cracking and are particularly good in highly oxidizing environments. Unfortunately, the formability and welding ability of these products are not ideal.

Martensitic Grade

Martensitic grades contain high levels of carbon. This stainless steel can be hardened by heat treatment. This grade is ideal for applications that require high wear resistance. The most popular grade used in the manufacture of knife blades is 420/1.4021. The grade 1.4116 is a high-quality knife that retains its sharpness even after long periods of use.

Duplex Grade

Because they are resistant to the corrosion caused by high-temperature saline solutions, Duplex grades are best for handling corrosive foodstuffs. Duplex grades are more resistant to stress corrosion cracking, crevice, and pitting than austenitic grades. Custard, vinegar, sauce making, cheese dairies, and fish-canning are just a few of the applications.

We hope that you must have understood that how stainless steel plays a major role in Food Industry. We are one of the top stainless-steel companies in India and Manufactures the best stainless steel in India. Contact us now to know more about the services we provide