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The Attributes of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a very versatile material. It is a low-carbon steel, which usually contains, by weight, chromium of 10% or more. Chromium is the material that allows stainless steel to have some of its most desirable and useful characteristics such as corrosion resistance. Chromium allows for a chromium oxide film to form on the surface of the steel, which is like a self-healing covering that resists damage in many detrimental conditions. Overall, there are more than sixty different grades of stainless steel, offering different levels of benefits depending on the makeup of the steel.
Some of the most common and useful characteristics of stainless steel include:
- Corrosion Resistance: Depending on whether the steel is low or high alloyed it can resist corrosion in different environments, including atmospheric and pure water environments as well as acidic, alkaline and chlorine environments.
- Fire and Heat Resistance: Some levels of stainless steel are able to resist scaling (high temperature oxidation) and may also be able maintain strength at certain high temperatures.
- Impact Resistance: Certain levels of stainless steel provide an extreme durability and toughness.
- Hygiene: Stainless steel is easily cleaned, allowing it to be very useful in circumstances where strict hygiene rules are applicable.
- Strength to Weight: Depending on the makeup of the steel, certain levels allow for reduced material thickness with increased strength which can be useful in certain industrial circumstances.
- Attractive Appearance: The shiny, easy to maintain appearance of stainless steel brings an aesthetic quality to many everyday environments.
- Long Term Value: It is a material that, although the initial cost may be more expensive with purchase, will prove its worth over time. The benefits far outweigh the initial cost.
There are many industries that can benefit from items made of stainless steel, including but not limited to hospitals, medical, science, and food processing.
Small but Useful and Important
Many items today are manufactured in stainless steel options. One of the most useful of these items is casters. Casters, the small, and often overlooked wheels that make many things mobile are a very important detail in many industries. One such is industry is the food processing industry.
Tailored to the Industry
The food processing industry, the industry in which raw materials are taken and transformed into food, is a fast paced, multi-dimensional industry. There are many products and materials, both solid and liquid that are utilized in the industry, and therefore any equipment or accessory used in this industry has the potential to be exposed to many different kinds of conditions and work environments.
Some Stainless Steel Available Options
Some of the basic options available in today’s market include the Colson Caster Two Series. This series offers load capacities of up to 325 lbs. per caster. And some standard features of the stainless steel casters include:
- Polished stainless steel finish handles the most punishing, corrosive conditions.
- Double ball raceways for better performance and greater durability.
- All component parts, including spanner bushing, axle and nut are stainless steel.
- Designed to perform in the most hostile environments.
Another stainless steel option that is more heavy-duty is the Colson Caster Four Series, with a load capacity of up to 1250 lbs. per caster. Some of the standard features include:
- Polished stainless steel (Grade 304).
- Full double ball hardened raceways.
- 1/2″ hollow axle with grease zerk and lock nut is stainless steel.
- 1/4″ steel top plate for durability.
- Permanent rivet king pin with 5/8″ diameter rivet.
- Grease fittings: wheel bearing and swivel raceway.
- “Colson 45″ multi-temp grease lubricates in extreme hot and cold temperature.
- NSF Listed.
In addition to these basic options, there are more specialized options available such as optional top-plates, Delrin-cage stainless roller bearings and solid stainless wheels for extreme conditions.
A World of Options
In addition to stainless steel casters, there is also a wide variety of many different options available. No matter what the specific job is, or the kind of work environment, there is a caster that is designed specifically for it. In addition to the other basic options available that have differing weight load capacities, attachment mechanisms, wheel types and materials, there are a myriad of specialty casters available. Some of the specialty casters available include: spring loaded door casters, gravity lock ladder casters, concealed side mount casters, die-cast aluminum leveling casters, rug runner casters, high-capacity, low overall height extrathane casters and glass cutting table casters. Additionally, a specialty option that can be added to some of the available casters is carbon steel ball transfers. It is a ball made of steel or nylon, and it can roll omni-directionally. This feature can aid in increasing the movement options, and is therefore, extremely useful in many different types of workplaces.
Trusted Expertise
When deciding what is the best option for your business, making the best decisions can be difficult. However, understanding your options is the first step to making a wise choice. That is why it is extremely important to contact someone who is an expert in the field. Just as you are an expert in your industry, we at Douglas Equipment pride ourselves with having the knowledge and experience of over fifty years in the moving equipment industry. When it comes to getting things moved and knowing what to use, we can help. Please contact us Toll-free at 1-800-451-0030, locally at 305-888-3700, or by faxing us at 305-883-9563. We can also be reached electronically through the Contact Us section on our website. We look forward to having the option to serve you and help you to decide which caster option is best suited for your specific needs. We understand how precious time is in your industry, and therefore we strive to make the best use of your time in being speedy, efficient and accurate in our customer service interaction. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
