Source: The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA)
1. Introduction
Cleanliness
and stainless steel are closely related and, in many applications,
each is dependent on the other. In the handling of food, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals and in the use of stainless steel as a construction
material (roofs, wall panels, entry ways, signs, etc.), stainless
steel provides the same degree of corrosion resistance that is
necessary to prevent product contamination or surface rusting.
However, stainless steel performs best when clean―cleanliness
is essential for maximum resistance to corrosion.
This
describes various practices for cleaning stainless steel during
manufacture and in use. This includes methods for removing free-iron
contamination on stainless steel surfaces that may have been picked
up from metalworking tools, and for removing general accumulation of
dirt, grime and surface stains that occur during normal handling and
exposure to the elements.
The
user should keep in mind that there are few specific rules for a
cleaning procedure. Accordingly, the methods discussed in this
handbook are suggestions. Each manufacturer or user, after obtaining
competent advice with respect to their individual requirements,
should select methods appropriate to those requirements.
