Stainless steel in plant engineering

Plant engineering is much like real life. A wide variety of materials are used, such as aluminium, plastics, glass and composites. As the demands placed on plant engineering increase, so too do the expectations placed on the materials. Or to put it another way: extreme temperatures, acids, alkalis and contact with chemicals and hazardous substances place the highest demands on the materials used. Against this backdrop, it is hardly surprising that stainless steels of various grades are among the preferred materials in plant engineering. The basic principle applies: the more complex the demands on the material, the more frequently stainless steel is used in modern plant engineering.

Thanks to their impressive material properties, ambitious plant engineers rely on the quality of stainless steels. Not least due to high industry standards, chemical, pharmaceutical and food companies rely on stainless steel solutions for their plant equipment. The use of this metal helps to ensure the safe operation of the plant and minimise potential risks to people, the environment and operational processes. From the plant engineer’s perspective, stainless steels are particularly impressive due to the following material properties:

Corrosion resistance

Thanks to the high chromium content of the respective alloy composition, stainless steels are highly resistant to corrosion. In both acidic and alkaline conditions, a protective oxide layer forms on the surface of the material. This provides effective protection against corrosion.

Temperature resistance

Stainless steel retains its mechanical properties even at high or low temperatures. The material’s toughness is maintained even at the lowest temperatures. This makes stainless steel ideal for use in plant engineering – particularly for processes involving high temperatures or refrigeration systems.

Durability

Stainless steels are synonymous with durability. Their high resistance to environmental influences and chemical effects ensures the material’s longevity. This reduces maintenance work, minimises repair costs and safeguards the investment in terms of costs as well.

Chemical resistance

Whether acids, alkalis or solvents – stainless steel exhibits high resistance to chemicals. In industrial plant engineering, this is of paramount importance and contributes to the safe operation of the plant. The chemical resistance of stainless steel ensures efficient use of materials, as there is virtually no need to factor in additional costs for corrosion protection.

Recyclability & environmental friendliness

Sustainability is the order of the day. The material’s high recyclability and a functioning circular economy reduce the environmental footprint. Furthermore, in plant engineering too, coatings are generally not required for the stainless steel used. This makes the material an environmentally friendly choice – for example, when handling food or drinking water.

Hygiene & Health

Stainless steels are characterised by a smooth, non-porous surface. This provides protection against dirt, germs, bacteria and other microorganisms. At the same time, the material’s smooth surface makes cleaning simple and straightforward. This contributes to the safety of products and consumers.

Versatility

A wide range of stainless steel alloy options provides plant manufacturers with a powerful toolkit, enabling them to meet the material requirements for specific applications. The result is bespoke solutions tailored to the desired material properties and design.