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Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel specifications held in the austenitic, martensitic and precipitation hardening varieties. Stocks are held in British Standard and International standards. Below is listed our most commonly supplied grades; please contact our sales office. Also stock is 301 stainless spring temper rolled strip.
Hi-Steel HSLA-80
Hi - Speed, high Speed Steel Tool Steel (made) : highly processed into the Tool Steel, carbon content high, while containing cr quantity is low (about 4%), reason burnish of Steel surface gloss darker, after heat can reach by HRc62 high hardness, resistance to rust performance not on a roll.
Mould Steel
Steel mould and Steel mould suppliers, global delivery, stock supply Steel mould steels.
Heat Resistant Steel
Heat resistant steel. AS Orlov Izobret. Mashinostr. 3, 48-49, 7/2000. The purpose of this work was to increase plasticity of heat resistant steel after aging at the 500-1300 deg C temperature and to improve its operational reliability.
Tool Steel
Comprehensive stocks held of tool steel, including hot work, cold work and plastic mould tool steel specifications. Below we detail our most common grades. Other British Standard and international special steels and tool steels are also available, please contact our sales office.
Ball Bearing Steel
Supplies Ball bearing steel of all types, along with carbon steel and specialty balls, to OEM's around the world. Also offers platinum balls, brass balls, gold, titanium, aluminum, carbon and plastic balls.
Spring Steel
Carbon spring steel is held in a wide range of sizes. Detailed below are our most common specifications. Carbon steel strip and spring steel sheet is available most commonly in the hardened and tempered condition, though certain sizes are available in the annealed condition. Round and flat bar is stocked in the as rolled condition. Most spring steel specifications are held to British Standard steel specifications including BS1449 & BS970.
Alloy and Carbon Steel
Alloy steel is steel alloyed with a variety of elements in total amounts of between 1.0% and 50% by weight to improve its mechanical properties. Alloy steels are broken down into two groups: low alloy steels and high alloy steels. The difference between the two is somewhat arbitrary: Smith and Hashemi define the difference at 4.0%, while Degarmo, et al., define it at 8.0 %.[1][2] Most commonly, the phrase "alloy steel" refers to "low alloy" steels.
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Home » Cleaning Ifor Stainless Steel
Cleaning for Stainless steel
THE CLEANING OF Stainless steel
Always attempt the mildest cleaning method first. Be patient - repeat it a fair number of times before resorting to the more severe cleaning methods.
Routine Cleaning. Stainless steel's best friends are quite simply soap, mild detergent or ammonia solutions in warm water, applied with a soft cloth or nylon sponge.
Occasionally the use of the least coarse nylon scouring pad may be required. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Stainless Steel articles are ideally suited for washing in a dishwasher. Only if cookware is heavily soiled is any prewashing required. (Note: Don't wash in diswashers which have galvanised (Zinc Plated) components. Indelible stains can result on the surface of Stainless steel).
Such simple Routine Cleaning will easily remove normal soiling. Repeated application will often remove heavier soiling and stains will become less noticeable and may completely disappear.
Cleaning - Moderate Soiling, Light Staining. Apply the mildest household abrasive cleaner, or a paste made from fine chalk or soda bicarb, using a soft cloth or a fine nylon scouring pad. A soft bristle brush may also be used. Rub the surface as softly as possible using long even strokes in the direction of the polished finish if this exists. Avoid using a circular rubbing action. Rinse well and wash as described under Routine Cleaning.
Cleaning - Heavy Soiling, Heavier Staining. Presoak in warm/hot detergent or ammonia solution. If this does not sufficiently soften burnt food or carbon deposits, household caustic cleaners will have to be used. Follow by cleaning as for Moderate Soiling, Light Staining. Repeat if necessary.
If this does not suffice final resort may have to be made to the use of both coarser abrasive cleaners and nylon scouring pads, but with the risk that the surface may become slightly affected. Follow by a thorough rinse and Routine Cleaning.
It is usually only the inside surfaces of cookware that are heavily soiled. If the more severe cleaning methods therefore have to be used - take care - Do not apply them to the outside surfaces where they are not required.
General Problems and Corrective Action.
· Acids
Avoid contact. If accidental contact does occur rinse immediately and soak in ammonia or soda bicarb solution. Follow by Routine Cleaning.
· Bleaches
Avoid contact with concentrated or undiluted bleach. If accidental contact does occur rinse immediately and soak in ammonia or soda bicarb solution. Follow by Routine Cleaning.
· Carbon Deposits/Burnt Food
Treat as described for Heavy Soiling, Heavier Staining
· Fats, oils and grease
Wipe off heavy deposits with a soft cloth or paper towel. Presoak in warm detergent or ammonia solution. Follow by Routine Cleaning.
· Finger Prints
Use Routine Cleaning. If necessary first treat the marks with a soft cloth or paper towel dampened with alcohol (methylated spirits), or an organic solvent (ether, benzine). Minimise the re-occurance by applying a wax based household polish to the dry, cleaned surface.
· Films
A dull, cloudy film, or a "rainbow film" develops after drip drying. These are respectively due to too much detergent, or oil/grease in the washing-up water. Re-wash as for Routine Cleaning using fresh, clean water.
· Heat Discolouration/tints
Ease of removal depends on the severity thereof. Repeated cleaning as for Moderate Soiling, Heavier Staining may prove successful. If not, use a 10% solution of Nitric Acid* together with a fairly course household abrasive cleaner applied as a paste by hard rubbing with a coarse nylon scouring pad. (Some alteration to the surface appearance will result from these severe cleaning operations). Acid treatment must be followed by rinsing in ammonia or soda bicarb solution, and Routine Cleaning.
· Labels
Peel off as much as possible. Soak well in warm water, rubbing periodically with a soft soapy cloth or sponge. If adhesive remains, dry and rub gently with alcohol or organic solvent.
Don't remove labels by scratching off with a blade, or rubbing with coarse abrasives.
· Leakage and Spillage
Remove by thorough washing down as soon as it occurs, or at short regular intervals.
· Oily Deposits in Coffee Pots/Urns
Use a thin paste of soda bicarb in hot water, and rub with a fine nylon scouring pad. Rinse and follow by Routine Cleaning.
· Rust Stains
Light, superficial brown staining can be removed by Routine Cleaning repeated regularly for a few days. Similarly, repeated cleaning as for Moderate Soiling, Light staining will remove darker stains.
Rust spots with a halo around them indicate that a fragment of ordinary steel has become embedded in the surface of the Stainless steel. Dab and spot, keeping moist for 20 - 30 minutes, with a 10% solution of Nitric Acid* on an ear bud. Repeat this treatment until no reoccurrence of the rust spot occurs. Severe rust stains are best removed by swabbing the stain, keeping it moist for 15 - 20 minutes with a 10% solution of Nitric Acid*, repeating if necessary. Very severe stains will require hard rubbing with a paste of fine household abrasive and 10% Nitric Acid*, using a fairly coarse nylon scouring pad, Acid treatments must be followed by rinsing in ammonia or soda bicarb solution, and Routine Cleaning.
· Sterilization
Add the sterilizing solution in the strength as laid down in the instructions. Avoid overdosing or the addition of concentrated solutions in one large dosage. Do not leave the sterilizing solution in the equipment longer than necessary, especially under stagnant conditions.
· Tannin Stains
Use a thin paste of sodium carbonate (washing soda) in hot water, and rub with a fine nylon scouring pad. Rinse and follow by Routine Cleaning.
· Nitric Acid (HNO3)
Nitric acid is a "friendly" acid towards Stainless Steel and is the only mineral acid which should be used to clean Stainless steel. Avoid contact of the acid with other metals, particularly the aluminium and copper bases on cookware. A 10% solution (1 part Nitric Acid added to 9 parts water) is usually used. It may be obtained from most chemists, who will make up the 10% solution. Concentrated Nitric Acid must be handled with care. Dilute 10% solutions are less dangerous, but it is advisable to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. If accidental skin contact occurs, wash well with lots of water. Mix and keep the solution in glass containers. Dilute extensively before flushing down the drain. Keep it out of reach of children.
Requirement
Suggested Method 1,2
Comments
Routine cleaning of light soiling
Soap, detergent or dilute (1%) ammonia solution in warm clean water. Apply with a clean sponge, soft cloth or soft-fibrebrush then rinse in clean water and dry6
Satisfactory on most surfaces
Fingerprints
Detergent and warm water, alternatively, hydrocarbon solvent
Proprietary spray-applied polishes available to clean and minimise remarking
Oil and grease marks
Hydrocarbon solvents (methylated spirit, isopropyl alcohol or acetone) 2
Alkaline formulations are also available with surfactant additions e.g.'D7' Polish1
Stubborn spots, stains and light discolouration. Water marking. Light rust staining
Mild, non-scratching creams and polishes. Apply with soft cloth or soft sponge and rinse off residues with clean water and dry6,7.
Avoid cleaning pastes with abrasive additions3. Suitable cream cleansers are available with soft calcium carbonate additions, e.g. 'Jif', or with the addition of citric acid, e.g. Shiny Sinks1. Do not use chloride solutions8,9.
Localised rust stains caused by carbon steel contamination
Proprietary gels, or 10% phosphoric acid solution (followed by ammonia and water rinses), or oxalic acid solution (followed by water rinse).6
Small areas may be treated with a rubbing block comprising fine abrasive in a hard rubber or plastic filler. Carbon steel wool should not be used, nor should pads that have previously been used on carbon steel. A test should be carried out to ensure that the original surface finish is not damaged.
Burnt on food or carbon deposits
Pre-soak in hot water with detergent or ammonia solution. Remove deposits with nylon brush and fine scouring powder if necessary. Repeat if necessary and finish with 'routine cleaning'.
Abrasive souring powder can leave scratch marks on polished surfaces.
Tannin (tea) stains and oily deposits in coffee urns
Tannin stains - soak in a hot solution of washing soda i.e. sodium carbonate. Coffee deposits - soak in a hot solution of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
These solutions can also be applied with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse with clean water. Satisfactory on most surfaces.
Adherent hard water scales and mortar/cement splashes
10-15 volume % solution of phosphoric acid. Use warm, neutralise with dilute ammonia solution, rinse with clean water and dry6. Alternatively soak in a 25% vinegar solution and use a nylon brush to remove deposits.
Proprietary formulations available with surfactant additions. Take special care when using hydrochloric acid based mortar removers 8,9.
Heating or heavy discolouration
a) Non-scratching cream or polish e.g. Solvol Auto Chrome Metal Polish 1,9
b) Nylon-type pad, e.g. 'Scotchbrite' 3,4,5a)Creams are suitable for most finishes, but only use 'Solvol' on bright polished surfaces. Some slight scratching can be left.
b)Use on brushed and polished finishes along the grain.
Badly neglected surfaces with accumulated grime deposits
A fine, abrasive paste as used for car body refinishing, e.g. 'T-cut' rinsed clean to remove all paste material and dried1.
May brighten dull finishes. To avoid a patchy appearance, the whole surface may need to be treated.
Paint, graffiti
Proprietary alkaline or solvent paint strippers, depending upon paint type. Use soft nylon or bristle brush on patterned surfaces.
Apply as directed by manufacturer.
Notes
1. The Products referenced in this information sheet are understood to be suitable for Stainless Steels. However, no endorsement of the products or their manufacturers is implied and it is acknowledged that other manufacturing companies may provide products of equal or better quality. The following companies manufacture proprietary names mentioned: - 'Jif' - Lever Brothers Ltd, 'Shiny Sinks' - Home Products Ltd, 'Ajax' - Colgate Palmolive Ltd, 'D7 Stainless steel Polish' - Diversey Ltd, 'T-Cut' - Automotive Chemicals Ltd and 'Solvol Auto Chrome Metal Polish' - Hammerite Products Ltd
2. Cleaning agents should be approved for use under the relevant national environmental regulations and, in addition, prepared and used in accordance with the manufacturers or suppliers' health & safety instructions. Solvents should not be used in enclosed areas.
3. Nylon abrasive pads should be adequate for dealing with most deposits. If a more severe treatment is needed to mask coarse scratches or physical damage on a surface, use the finest abrasive medium consistent with covering the damage marks. With directional brushed and polished finishes, align and blend the new "scratch pattern" with the original finish, checking that the resulting finish is aesthetically acceptable. Silicon carbide media may be used, especially for the final stages of finishing. Avoid using hard objects such as knife blades and certain abrasive/souring agents as it is possible to introduce surface scuffs and scratches. Scratching is particularly noticeable on sink drainer areas. These are usually superficial and can be removed with proprietary Stainless steel cleaners or, alternatively, with a car paint restorer, such as 'T-cut'.
4. If wire brushes are used, these should be made of a similar or better grade of Stainless steel. Ensure that all abrasive media used are free from sources of contamination, especially iron and chlorides.
5. When cleaning a surface with any chemical preparation or abrasive medium, a trial should be done on a small, unobtrusive hidden or non-critical area of the surface, to check that the resulting finish matches with the original.
6. To avoid water marks, use clean rinsing water, such as reasonable quality potable (tap) water. Drying marks may be avoided using an air blower or wiping with clean disposable wipes.
7. Rust marks or staining on Stainless Steels is unlikely to be the result of corrosion to the Stainless steel itself (similar marks may also be found on porcelain and plastic sinks). These marks are likely to result from small particles of carbon steel from wire woo
Cleaning methods for Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is easy to clean. Washing with soap or mild detergent and warm water followed by a clear water rinse is usually quite adequate for domestic and architectural equipment. Where Stainless Steel has become extremely dirty with signs of surface discolouration (perhaps following periods of neglect, or misuse) alternative methods of cleaning can be used, as outlined below.
