What makes equipment wash-down certified?
The main criterion for wash-down certified packaging equipment is stainless steel construction. Some equipment manufacturers claim their products are wash-down, when only some parts, if any, of the equipment is fabricated out of stainless steel. More commonly, the equipment is constructed from substandard, albeit economical, aluminium. In contrast to anodized aluminium, stainless steel resists corrosion and localized chloride attacks from both cleaning agents and aggressive ingredients, such as high levels of chloride salts and high acid contents like those found in tomato paste and ketchup. Stainless steel can be electro-polished for a uniquely flat, mirror-like surface. James Fritz, PhD in Corrosion Engineering and NACE-certified Materials Selection Design Specialist from TMR Stainless explains, This process levels the microscopic highs and lows on the surface of the metal and results in very low Ra values (i.e. roughness). A smoother surface is clinically cleaner because bacteria ha
