Has corrosion been causing havoc in your manufacturing facility? Whether you’re working in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals or with food and beverages, you are probably handling substances which have the potential to be corrosive.
In this post, we look at why corrosion happens and why stainless steel is the ideal solution for fighting back against corrosion.
What is Corrosion?
Corrosion is the degradation of a material due to a chemical process known as oxidization, typically affecting metals. It happens on an atomic level when the metal comes into contact with oxygen. In simple terms, oxygen is an atomic element that consists of eight electrons, with the first six forming the first shell around the atom. However, the remaining two do not have enough electrons to complete a second shell. Therefore, oxygen chooses to take electrons from materials, including metals such as steel and iron. Because of this chemical reaction, new substances form when in contact with metal. These substances can be detrimental to the quality of the original product. For example, when iron and steel encounters oxygen or water, it will corrode and rust over time.
A problem seen across many industries, rust is difficult to remove, especially at larger quantities. Metals that have rusted turn shades of brown and red, and adopt a dry, powdery texture. Rust also represents a biohazard for any equipment involved in processing pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals or food and beverages. This is due to the corroded metal allowing external bacteria to enter inside and potentially lead to contaminated products.
Why is Stainless Steel Corrosion-Resistant?
A solution to preventing corrosion can be found in using stainless steel storage, appliances and manufacturing equipment. Stainless steel is effective against rusting due to the presence of chromium in the metal. This is because chromium provides its own protective layer of oxygen and water that shields the steel from corrosive elements or substances. The higher the percentage of chromium in stainless steel, the more effective it is at preventing corrosion in equipment such as stainless steel blenders, tanks, IBCs and lifts. Chromium also creates a glossy, shiny appearance that keeps the steel free from stains or browning formed by corrosion.
Buy Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel Equipment
Looking to fend off corrosion for good? Bid good riddance to corrosion by investing in stainless steel equipment for your business. Whether you use stainless steel equipment for manufacturing pharmaceutical goods, or require stainless steel blenders and storage solutions for your cosmetic company, Ability Fabrications Inc are here to deliver! At Ability Fabricators Inc, we craft high-quality stainless steel products to your unique, custom specifications, right here in Canada. From stainless steel cone blenders, V blenders to operating essentials such as stainless steel carts and lifts, we possess a wide set of tools capable of delivering the right solution for you. Find out more about our product range or contact us today for a free quote.
