CLEANING
An old household trick to cleaning a stainless steel surface is to wash
the surface down with soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly. After this
process take the back of a no scratch pad and rubbing with the grain apply a
coat of vinegar over the entire surface and let sit for 2 to 4 minutes. This
will help fight the growth of bacteria that may have set into the small grain
of the sink. For the next step take a Micro fiber cloth or soft towel and rub
the entire surface that you applied the vinegar to with vegetable oil.
This will return your stainless surface to a bright factory appearance.
REMOVING SCRATCHES
Removing small surface scratches can be tricky to remove and can
damage your surface if not done correctly. For the first step take a 3M
maroon scotch brite pad and with a small amount of water gently
rub in the direction of the grain until you see the scratch disappear.
Adding water will help the scotch brite cut the stainless steel surface
with a more uniform appearance. After this process is complete clean
the area with soap and warm water. For a bright shine re-apply tip #1.
DAMAGING CHEMICALS
Avoiding certain chemicals on your stainless steel surface will
insure the longevity of your products. Listed below is a range of
chemicals and acids that may cause staining and permanent
surface damage. Hydrochloric acids, Chlorines, Bleaches,
Iodine, Sulfuric Acids, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Chlorite,
Fluorine, Ferrous Iodide, Ferrous Chlorides, Uranium Trichloride.
If any of the listed chemicals comes into contact with your
surface rinse thoroughly and repeatedly.
CHEMICAL DAMAGE AND REPAIR
Professional passivating can help damaged surfaces that have been
affected by chemical damage and or staining. A common sign of
surface damage is an orange or rust like appearance that can be
wiped of with a white towel. For small areas of surface damage or
where stainless steel has come into contact with iron or other steel
materials that may have imbedded into the stainless surface or
have come into contact with caustic chemicals follow these steps.
Taking a roll of quick release construction tape “preferably stucco
tape” make a small dam around the affected area. Fill the dammed
area with concentrated lime juice and leave for up to 5 minutes.
After this process has been complete rinse the entire are thoroughly
and repeat tip #1 again.
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STAINLESS STEEL TYPE - 304 & 304L
Probably the most versatile of the Stainless Category is an Austenitic
T-304 or also known as 18-8. Consisting of 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel
gives this Stainless Product a wide range of uses where corrosion
resistance and clean surface requirements come into play.
STAINLESS STEEL TYPE - 316 & 316L
If high corrosion resistance and great machine ability are needed
T-316 & T-316L Stainless Steels are highly recommended.
The 316 series stainless steels consist of 18% Chromium, 12% Nickel
and 3% Molybdenum. Typically 316 have a high yield in extreme
temperatures, and high resistance to low temperatures. Making this
material premium choice for Laboratories, Clean rooms, & Research areas.
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| STAINLESS |
T-304 |
T-304L |
T316 |
T316L |
| STEEL |
SERIES |
SERIES |
SERIES |
SERIES |
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| CORROSION |
FAIR |
GOOD |
EXCELLENT |
HIGH |
| RESISTANCE |
GOOD |
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MOST COMMON |
RESISTANCE |
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TO CHEMICALS |
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& CORROSION |
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ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
PASSIVATION
A PROCESS THAT USES A NITRIC ACID BATH TO REMOVE FOREIGN METALS FROM THE
SURFACE OF STAINLESS AND OTHER CORROSION RESISTANT STEELS AND TO PROHIBIT
NATURAL TENDENCY OF SURFACE TO OXIDIZE. DOES NOT CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF
THE BASE METAL. PROCESS PURIFIES SURFACE AND THEREFORE IMPROVES CORROSION
RESISTANCE.
ELECTROPOLISHING
A PROCESS USING CHEMICALS AND ELECTRICITY THAT SELECTIVELY REMOVES ANY
REMAINING SURFACE IMPURITIES IN STAINLESS STEEL AND ENHANCING THE CHROMIUM
GIVING STAINLESS STEEL THE APPEARANCE OF BEING CHROME PLATED. THIS PROCESS
ALSO REMOVES MICRO BURRS AND IMPROVES RMS FINISH AND CORROSION RESISTANCE.
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Metal Gauge Guide:
| METAL GAUGE |
FRACTION |
DEC. INCH |
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| 3 |
1/4 |
0.25 |
| 7 |
3/16 |
0.1875 |
| 10 |
9/64 |
0.140625 |
| 11 |
1/8 |
0.125 |
| 12 |
7/64 |
0.109375 |
| 14 |
5/64 |
0.078125 |
| 16 |
1/16 |
0.0625 |
| 18 |
1/20 |
0.05 |
| 20 |
3/80 |
0.0375 |
| 22 |
1/32 |
0.03125 |
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Stainless Steel Compositions:
T-304 STAINLESS STEEL More Info
Carbon .08
Manganese 2.00
Phosphorus .045
Sulfur .03
Silicon 1.00
Chromium 19.00
Nickel 9.25
Molybdenum N/A
T-304L STAINLESS STEEL More Info
Carbon .03
Manganese 2.00
Phosphorus .045
Sulfur .03
Silicon 1.00
Chromium 19.00
Nickel 10.0
Molybdenum N/A
T-316 STAINLESS STEEL More Info
Carbon .08
Manganese 2.00
Phosphorus .045
Sulfur .030
Silicon 1.00
Chromium 17.00
Nickel 12.0
Molybdenum 2.5
T-316L STAINLESS STEEL More Info
Carbon .03
Manganese 2.00
Phosphorus .045
Sulfur .030
Silicon 1.00
Chromium 17.00
Nickel 12.0
Molybdenum 2.5
FINISHES
2B- this material is annealed & cold rolled, with a factory passivation.
2BA- This material is also cold rolled with a bright anneal & is has a high polish from the factory.
No. 4- This is a one direction smooth satin factory finish. “most common”.
No. 8- Mirror finished and also comes in a non-directional mirror finish
That does not show the original grain pattern.
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