Be mindful of finishes and temperatures with food grade steel

We are the number one team in the UK offering professional tube manipulation services. During our time we have built a reputation as a specialist that can tackle all kinds of jobs. No matter what a client’s needs are, we use our skills to offer them the best solutions.

For sanitary food handling projects, a popular metal choice is stainless steel. Food grade in particular can stand up to punishing temperatures. We are talking about the ones that would melt plastic. Also, the material’s protective oxide layer aids users in stopping rust from forming. This can stop it from contaminating foodstuffs.

We often work with this type of stainless steel in our tubing work. Like with any metal though, there are many details about it that you must know.

Influences on suitability

Tube manipulationFor one thing, the steel’s finish is capable of influencing its suitability for food processing. Stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance. But, just because the exterior looks smooth and shiny does not mean it is food grade. To match the sanitary standards, the steel’s finish has to be free of flaws that could lead to bacterial growth. At the same time, it must be easy to sanitise or clean.

It is here that operations like electropolishing are preferred to grinding. The polishing strips the surface layer of steel away. It reveals a substrate that is microscopically smooth. This improves the oxide layer’s strength and disposes of those microscopic flaws that could harbour bacteria. If you require our tube manipulation services for your food grade steel, please let our team know.

Extreme temperatures

Another fact is that temperature extremes can influence food grade stainless steel. Most steels have melting points outside temperature ranges found in food manufacturing procedures. However, it is still crucial for you to be careful in case the heat will affect the performance.

Let us give an example. Most stainless steels are fine at temperatures ranging from water’s freezing point to oven-like temperatures. These are ones exceeding 500ºF. According to some sources, proper cryogenic conditions below -49ºF can cause steel alloy to turn brittle. Combine this with crystalline expansion when the metal heats up and the metals can break or warp. This is if they are exposed to sudden extreme temperature shifts.

Get the finest tube manipulation solutions from us

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we provide professional and reliable services to any clients that require them. Our work comes in handy for people in all kinds of industries. This includes automotive, heating, and more.

So, please contact our team today to see how our tube manipulation solutions can benefit you. We can help you to choose the perfect package of services for your project.