
10
3.5 Cauons with Stainless Steel
The Stainless Steel may present rust signs, which ARE ALWAYS CAUSED BY EXTERNAL
AGENTS, especially when the cleaning or sanizaon is not constant and appropriate.
The Stainless Steel resistance towards corrosion is mainly due to the presence of chrome,
which in contact with oxygen allows the formaon of a very thin protecve coat. This
protecve coat is formed through the whole surface of the steel, blocking the acon of
external corrosive agents.
When the protecve coat is broken, the corrosion process begins, being possible to avoid it
by means of constant and adequate cleaning. Cleaning must always be done immediately
aer using the equipment. For such end, use water, neutral soap or detergent, and clean
the equipment with a so cloth or a nylon sponge. Then rinse it with plain running water,
and dry immediately with a so cloth, this way avoiding humidity on surfaces and especially
on gaps.
The rinsing and drying processes are extremely important to prevent stains and corrosion
from arising.
IMPORTANT
Acid soluons, salty soluons, disinfectants and some sterilizing soluons
(hypochlorites, tetravalent ammonia salts, iodine compounds, nitric acid and
others), must be AVOIDED, once it cannot remain for long in contact with the
stainless steel.
These substances aack the stainless steel due to the CHLORINE on its composion,
causing corrosion spots (ping).
Even detergents used in domesc cleaning must not remain in contact with the stainless
steel longer than the necessary, being mandatory to remove it with plain water and then
dry the surface completely.
Use of abrasives:
Sponges or steel wool and carbon steel brushes, besides scratching the surface
and compromising the stainless steel protecon, leave parcles that rust and react
contaminang the stainless steel. That is why such products must not be used for cleaning
and sanizaon. Scrapings made with sharp instruments or similar must also be avoided.
Main substances that cause stainless steel corrosion:
Dust, grease, acid soluons such as vinegar, fruit juices, etc., saltern soluons (brine),
blood, detergents (except for the neutral ones), common steel parcles, residue of sponges
or common steel wool, and also other abrasives.