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STAINLESS STEEL FACT SHEET
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an iron based metal which contains low carbon levels and various levels of chromium. When chromium is exposed to air it forms a protective layer of chromium oxide which keeps stainless steel from rusting.
What type of stainless steel should I use?
Of the over 100 types of stainless steel, type #304 stainless steel accounts for over one-half of USA production. Type 304 is highly corrosion resistant when used within normal temperature ranges, including autoclaving.
Type #316L is a slightly harder stainless steel which contains 2 to 3% molybdenum, a high heat additive. Type #316L is indicated for use in depyrogenating.
Type #316L is a best choice when used in contact with distilled water or chlorides.
What finishes are available?
HURST stainless steel products are generally available in two finishes;
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Standard mill finish 2B has an extremely smooth slightly milky surface. 2B
is economical and easy to clean. Finish is sometimes expressed as “RA” or arithmetic roughness. RA is the distance (in inches or microns) of deviation
from a selected average (mean) surface. The RA of a 2B finish is generally 8. -
A #4 finish is a fine grade of brushed metal also known as a Florentine finish.
#4 is a mechanical finish and typically used to finish outside welds. Fine grinding, polishing and buffing can further smooth a #4 finish to a higher luster, however this process is very expensive. The RA of a #4 finish is generally 25-30.
Electro-polishing is available to burn off oxides, brighten, and reduce roughness by 30 to 40%. EP improves sterilization and surface maintenance.
What thickness or gauge of stainless steel is available? How much does it weigh?
What corner welds are available?
Gas tungsten arc welding, also known as TIG welding and fusion welding, is normally used to provide a water tight structure. It is also recommended to eliminate corner cracks and crevasses which may support microbial growth. TIG welding is expensive and demands hand finishing.
Corners may be designed with folding tabs which are tack-welded for structural support. Tab and tack-welded corners are inexpensive and a good choice in a non-sterile environment.
Some thicknesses of stainless steel are rigid enough to be used without welding.
What perforations are available?
Any design or size hole or slot is readily available.
Hurst also manufactures a wide variety of stainless steel tray transport carts in virtually any size and shelf configuration including solid or mesh panels, and sliding or pivoting lockable doors.
STAINLESS STEEL VIAL TRAY EXAMPLES
HURST vial trays are available in all three-sided and four-sided sizes and configurations with watertight TIG welded corners, no-weld formed corners, and tack-welded tabbed corners. Gates are either pivoting or guillotine. Custom perforations are available from .120” dia. and up. Custom made vial tray inserts feature visual count and provide predictable vial placement.
Hurst also manufactures a wide variety of stainless steel tray transport carts in virtually any size and shelf configuration including solid or mesh panels, and sliding or pivoting lockable doors.
STAINLESS STEEL DEPYROGENATION, AUTOCLAVE, & LYOPHILIZATION TRAYS AND RINGS
HURST CORPORATION is a major designer and manufacturer of stainless steel products for the Biotech and Pharmaceutical industries. HURST manufacturing partnerships have developed state-of-the-art technology to provide the highest quality certified material, precision robotic fabrication and finishing in the world. All HURST products are proudly made in the USA.
ROBOTIC FORMING
All HURST trays are formed and custom perforated on automatic Salvagnini robotic machines to provide tolerances to .001”. All sides are exactly parallel with the extreme tight corners necessary for laser welding.
LASER WELDING
Laser fusion welding ‘drills’ a keyhole shape into stainless steel which rapidly fills in with molten metal at temperatures to 25,000°F. All alien oxides are driven off leaving a perfect weld with minimal to no cleanup. Unlike TIG welding, Laser Fusion provides consistent predictable welds everytime.
LASER ENGRAVING
HURST laser engraving is .002” deep to accommodate initial electro-polishing and EP refinishing as required. Standard laser engraving includes a manufacture date and sequential lot code.
ELECTRO-POLISHING
HURST electro-polishing service creates finishes to 4-5RA providing an exceptional smooth surface for optimal clean-up.
All sizes of gated 316L trays and gates are available
Twin level Syringe Rack with custom array holes
Quick dis-assembly of all parts for cleaning
Bi-level Syringe Rack and tray less 316L Lid
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW TO PROVIDE A STAINLESS STEEL VIAL TRAY QUOTE
#1. CHOOSE PRODUCT
a. Three-sided tray or four-sided tray
b. Vial placement Insert
c. Bin
d. Other
#2. CHOOSE TYPE OF GATE IF APPLICABLE
a. Pivoting
b. guillotine
#3. CHOOSE TYPE OF STAINLESS STEEL
Type of stainless steel required:
a. General purpose, autoclave use: Type #304
b. High heat applications, depyrogenation: Type #316L
#4. CHOOSE THICKNESS OF STAINLESS STEEL
#5. CHOOSE CORNER PREFERENCE
a. Tab (folded) corners with spot welds. Non-water tight.
b. TIG (fusion welded) corners. Water-tight.
c. No-weld corners
#6. CHOOSE PERFORATIONS
a. no perforations
b. .120”, .25”, .5” diameter holes bottom and sides as required
c. Specify custom large hole size and pattern
#7. SPECIFY
a. Dimensions: List all component dimensions separately (tray, lid, etc.)
b. Quantity
c. Electro-polishing
d. Laser dating or other Laser engraved information
e. Required delivery
SYRINGE RACKS FOR LYOPHILIZATION
HURST Patent Pending Syringe Racks for Lyophilization feature 316L stainless gated trays and a two-part Rack designed to hold syringes on a vertical axis. The unique Rack quickly disassembles to two separate easy to clean monolithic sections.