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Stainless steel: why so special?
18/03/2022
First of all it is stainless…
… it does not oxidize, meaning it does not rust.
Stainless steel owes this characteristic to the presence of chromium (minimum 10.5%). When stainless steel is exposed to oxygen from the air or water, its surface is covered by a layer of chromium oxide, known as a “passivating film” in technical jargon. This layer protects the stainless steel object from many aggressive substances, and reforms if damaged.
Stainless steel is resistant to the most common sanitising products on the market and used in the health sector. This means that it is possible to act decisively against viruses and bacteria, and it also means that it is possible to repeat cleaning operations several times a day, without risking damage to the surfaces.
And don’t forget its low porosity: a porous material gets dirtier! And where there is dirt, viruses and bacteria are much more likely to settle.
Therefore: stainless steel is the perfect material for use in healthcare, particularly in the operating theatre. But you have to bear in mind that it is not super-strong as such. Mistreatment must be avoided: stainless steel must be kept strong and ‘fit’ by treating it with due care!
- thoroughly clean stainless steel surfaces with a damp cloth, NEVER WITH METAL ABRASIVE PADS, soap and water and common non-abrasive, non-chlorinated detergents
- always rub in the direction of the satin finish
- rinse well using only water and dry thoroughly after cleaning and disinfecting