what makes stainless steel hygienic

Good hygiene is vital in all industries (as well as in our day-to-day lives!), but nowhere is it more important than in the food and healthcare fields. Everything brought in and out of the workplace needs to meet the highest standards of hygiene, including the tools, work surfaces, and the products themselves. This is why stainless steel is such a popular choice when hygiene is a top priority.

Stainless steel has long been valued for its hygienic properties - it's why so many medical tools and food processing units are made from it. But what exactly makes stainless steel the ideal choice for hygiene? Well, that's what we're here to explain.

The metal specialists at Clickmetal work with stainless steel every day, giving us an in-depth understanding of its many benefits. Below, we'll break down the six key properties that make stainless steel one of the most hygienic materials in the world.

1. Smooth Surface

Stainless steel has a smooth, non-porous surface that's easy to clean. There are no holes for dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants to accumulate in, reducing the risk of bacterial growth and making it easier to maintain cleanliness. This also makes cleaning much faster - a major benefit in industries where regular sanitation is a must.

2. Corrosion Resistance

The "stainless" in stainless steel's name comes from its high resistance to stains, corrosion, and tarnishing. This resistance is due to the formation of a passive oxide layer on its surface, which comes about because of the nickel and chromium in its composition.

Because of this corrosion resistance, stainless steel can handle exposure to moisture, chemicals, and different cleaning agents without deteriorating. This means it lasts much longer than other materials when consistently washed.

3. Chemical Inertness

Stainless steel is chemically inert, meaning it doesn't react with most chemicals. This is mainly due to the protective oxide layer mentioned above. This property ensures that the material won't introduce contaminants into the environment, making it a great choice for applications where maintaining product purity is vital.

4. Heat Resistance

Stainless steel can withstand extremely high temperatures without warping or degrading, even more so than aluminium - it has a melting point of around 1,400°C! This heat resistance comes in useful in situations where sterilisation or high-temperature processes are needed to maintain hygiene, such as in autoclaves.

5. Durability

Stainless steel is a strong, durable material that can withstand frequent cleaning and harsh environmental conditions without losing its structural integrity. This durability means that stainless steel equipment and surfaces experience much slower wear and tear than other materials. As a result, the likelihood of contamination from worn or damaged materials is reduced.

6. Non-Toxic

Stainless steel is non-toxic and doesn't leach harmful substances into the products or processes it comes into contact with. This makes it suitable for use in food and medical applications where product purity is a key concern.

Premium Grade 316 Stainless Steel, Precisely Cut to Size

Looking for top-quality, ultra-hygienic steel for your project? You're in the right place.

As the UK's leading supplier of premium metals, Clickmetal has a wide range of stainless steel components available to choose from. This includes sheets, tubes, bars, angles, and more. Each is custom-cut to your specifications, and comes in enough grades and shapes to suit any application.

Our inventory features high-quality, medical-grade 316 stainless steel that meets all industry standards, making it the perfect choice for sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

We pride ourselves on our fast delivery times, and always aim to get your order processed within 3-5 working days from when we receive it. After that, your order will be on its way through a 24-hour (next working day) courier service.

Whether you're tackling a large-scale construction project or a small DIY job, you can rely on our expertise to provide the exact stainless steel you need, right on time.

Shop our full range of stainless steel here!