Choosing the Right Stainless Steel Plate for Food & Pharmaceutical Applications

What Stainless Steel Grade Is Best for Food & Pharma?

In industries where hygiene, contamination resistance, and cleanability are critical, not every stainless steel plate makes the cut. Food and pharmaceutical manufacturers demand materials that are non-reactive, corrosion-resistant, and compliant with global sanitary standards. The most widely recommended grades are SS 304, SS 316L, and SS 904L—each offering different advantages based on acid resistance, cost, and environmental exposure.

Where Are These Plates Used in Food & Drug Manufacturing?

Stainless steel plates are vital across:

• Dairy tanks and cheese vats
• Meat processing tables and slicers
• Beverage storage and bottling lines
• Clean rooms and tablet production lines
• Bioreactors and API processing vessels

Performance & Safety Standards Required

Grades selected must ensure:

• Resistance to citric, lactic, and phosphoric acids
• Smooth, crevice-free surfaces
• No leaching or chemical reactions with food/drugs
• High resistance to steam, moisture, and cleaning chemicals

Grades Most Suitable for Food and Pharmaceutical Industry

• SS 304: General food-grade, affordable, non-toxic, used widely.
• SS 316 / 316L: Enhanced resistance to saline, acids, and sterilization chemicals.
• SS 904L: Ultra corrosion resistance, used in highly acidic or chloride-rich pharmaceutical environments.

Thickness Range & Finish Consideration

We offer:

• 0.5mm to 150mm thickness plates
• BA (Bright Annealed), No. 4, and Mirror Finish for hygienic surfaces
• Custom-polished finishes to Ra < 0.8 µm where required

Surface Cleanliness & Fabrication Requirements

For sterile environments:

• Plates must be burr-free and weldable with minimal contamination
• Seamless fabrication to prevent microbial growth
• Mirror finishes for CIP/SIP equipment are ideal

Tips for Plate Selection by Application Type

• Dairy / Beverage Plants: SS 304 is adequate
• Acidic Juice / Pickle / API Use: SS 316L or SS 904L is preferable
• Sterile Pharma Equipment: SS 316L with EP (electropolishing) or mirror finish

Why Buy Food-Grade SS Plates from Hindustan Steel?

• BIS/ASTM/ASME-compliant inventory
• Pre-cleaned, factory-packaged for pharma-grade
• Support for traceability, mill certificates & validation

Related Grades & Options Available

We also supply:

• SS 321/347 for heat-resistant pharmaceutical sterilization
• SS 410/430 for less aggressive environments
• Mirror polished, slit, or circle cut formats

Export Supply to Food & Pharma Industries

We supply to:

• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia – Food machinery OEMs
• India’s major pharma belts – Hyderabad, Gujarat, Himachal
• Europe – Biopharma equipment and clean room systems

Buyer Tips: SS 304 vs 316 vs 904L – Which One to Choose?

• For general use: SS 304
• For acidic/corrosive exposure: SS 316L
• For high-end critical hygiene + chloride resistance: SS 904L

Certifications & Quality Documents Provided

• EN 10204 3.1 Test Certificates
• ISO 9001 & GMP-compliant supply chain
• Surface finish and Ra values (on request)
• NABL-attested lab reports if needed

FAQs for Choosing the Right Plate for Food & Pharma