There are many grades of stainless steel. The most used grades in the UK are 304 and 316 although we often see very low-grade stainless steel used on products we remove.
304 stainless steel is much cheaper than 316. The difference between 304 and 316 is 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. The molybdenum is added to help resist corrosion to chlorides like seawater or saline often used in operating theatres. All of Neocare products use certified 316 stainless steel.
It’s not only the grade of stainless steel that should be considered
It’s not only the grade of stainless steel that should be considered but how the products are fabricated and finished.
The following images are of stainless-steel tables removed from a clean room when the customer purchased replacement products from Neocare. These products look like they have been made to suit customers where the lowest price is the main criteria.
Welds that do not penetrate the metal, just sat on the surface.
Welding that has not been cleaned and in some places is incomplete.
Box section that has been cut and not de burred or cleaned.
Rusty stainless steel
Table tops that use double sided tape to fix them to the frames
Shelves made from 1.2 mm thick sheet with simple folds to hold them in place.
We frequently see these raw edges.
316 Stainless steel is by far durable, easy to fabricate, easy to clean and to weld and finish. Our products are considerably more resistant to solutions of sulfuric acid, chlorides, bromides, iodides, and fatty acids at high temperatures. It is also a requirement that stainless steel required in certain pharmaceuticals products are manufactured with 316 containing molybdenum to avoid excessive metallic contamination. Good quality durable stainless-steel costs a little more upfront but could save you more in the long run. For more information regarding our products please contact us on +44(0)1594832044 or visit our website at www.neocare.org.uk
