Selecting materials for standard parts in the food and beverage industry

摘要

Hygiene, anti-corrosion and quick delivery remain key factors in the selection of standard parts and machine accessories for the food and beverage sector. Yet, with material choices ranging from stainless steel varieties to plastics, how do you make the optimum choice for your application? John Marshall, Technical Manager at WDS Components Parts Ltd., discusses the merits of the materials available for the food and beverage industry. For food and beverage manufacture, storage or preparation, hygiene is imperative. Work areas often come into direct contact with bacteria and, as a result, the material composition of components used in this industry must be resistant to bacteria as well as being easy to clean effectively. Resistance to corrosion is also vital, especially where high acidity or salinity is commonplace. This is important to ensure the long life of the component as well as maintaining its resistance to pitting and blemishes (which make it more difficult to clean and degrade the level of hygiene). Anti-corrosion properties are also key for the cleaning process, where the rigorous application of water is combined with the use of cleaning fluids.