THE POWER OF STAINLESS STEEL!

It is ever doubtful that the development of the fermentation industries could have reached the level of sophistication today if not for
the contribution of stainless steel. Stainless steel is in fact the most popular material used extensively in the fermentation industries. Stainless steel are used not only in the design and building of fermentors but are also used in the various ancillary piping, valves and other equipments such as the blender and stirrer.

Even in dairy processing , sanitary grade stainless steel tanks, pipings and pumps are used to ensure high standards of sanitary cleanliness. This is also the reason why in big restaurants stainless steel kitchen utensils and furniture are made up of stainless steel right up from the sinks to the food warmers

SANITARY CLEANLINESS
Sanitary cleanliness are possible using stainless steel as its sanitary finish are achievable with electro polishing. Electro polishing is superior to mechanical cleaning as the outer surface of metal is completely removed with the kind of precision that can only be achieved through electrolytic processes. Sub-microscopic peaks and valleys on the surface of the stainless steel are removed, and the stainless steel regenerates a surface layer of passivised chromium oxide to protect it against rust and corrosion.

This is crucial for proper beer fermentation as well as for sanitation standards, for without the removal of these molecular-level gutters and valleys, particles of yeast, sugar and other ingredients would be trapped within the wall of the tank long after scouring. Sugar and yeast would remain and flourish in non-sanitary finishes, growing bacteria and yeast the brewmaster had not counted on. Yeast trapped within brewery tank walls could change the chemistry of the beer’s fermentation, and we don’t want to think about what the bonus bacteria would do.


WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
The downside using stainless steel is the initial cost! But think of the advantages, convenience and lifetime benefits of the stainless steel fermentors!
Stainless steel is essentially a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is the addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion resisting properties.
The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, provided that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen.
TYPES OF STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel can be divided into four classes. Each is identified by the alloying elements which affect their microstructure and for which each is named.
1)400 Series Martensitic consisting of straight chromium (12 - 18%);

2) 400 Series Ferritic consisting of straight chromium (12 - 18%);

3) 300 Series Austenitic consisting of chromium (17 - 25%), Nickel (8 - 25%);

4) Precipitation Hardening consisting of chromium (12 - 28%), Nickel (4 - 7%);




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