In today’s economy it’s important to be an educated consumer. With the American dollar taking a beating, manufacturers are looking for ways to maximize profits. At the same time you, the consumer are looking for ways to get the most for your money. It’s tempting for you to opt for a less expensive product, just be sure your manufacturer isn’t doing the same thing.
At TriStar and Direct, all of our stainless steel is purchased strictly from American Mills. Did you know there are only 3 major stainless mills in the US? As a manufacturer, you can bring in material from other countries, such as China or you can have parts built in other countries and bring them here for assembly. Manufacturing can be done a number of ways. We use domestic, 304 stainless in all of our stainless product line. We always know what we’re getting, it’s consistent and ISO certified and we believe you should never compromise quality to save a buck! “Type 304 stainless has a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.”* The chromium and the nickel content are what give 304 stainless its non-corrosive properties. It will resist rust, and stain “less” than other types of steel. It will hold up to all kinds of fruit acids, which is why it is used in food processing equipment and cookery tools. It will also hold up to urine and cleaning agents. “The chromium in the steel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a thin, invisible layer of chrome-containing oxide, called the passive film. The sizes of chromium atoms and their oxides are similar, so they pack neatly together on the surface of the metal, forming a stable layer only a few atoms thick. If the metal is cut or scratched and the passive film is disrupted, more oxide will quickly form and recover the exposed surface, protecting it from oxidative corrosion.”** It’s an absolutely perfect product for use in animal care facilities who use stainless steel cages, where animals may be scratching at its surface and contaminating it with their saliva. It can be cleaned and it basically repairs itself, cutting down on the spread of disease. On top of being very sanitary and durable it is also extremely beautiful. For these reasons we’re proud to offer domestic 304 stainless steel to our customers!
References
* www.lenntech.com material notes Stain Steel 304
** Helmenstine, PH.D., Anne Marie. Why is stainless Steel Stainless? What It Is and How It Works. About.com.
