C14 · Food Manufacturing
Stainless Steel Plates for Food Manufacturing: 304/316L Selection and 8 Part Lists
In food manufacturing, we have organized eight parts using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 430, with thickness ranging from 0.6–8 mm.
8 parts and material list
| Part / Component | Recommended grade | Specification / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven Interior/Flue | 304/430 | 0.8–2.0mm | 2B，Ra≤0.8μm | High Temperature Oxidation + Fatty Acid Carbonization + Cleaning Agent | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
| Baking Tray/Rack | 304/430/316L | 0.6–1.5mm | 2B / Flowered / Coated | Thermal Cycling Deformation + Fatty Acid Corrosion + Scratching | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
| Tunnel Conveyor Belt | 304/314 | Wire Diameter 1.0–3.0mm | Lustrous / 2B | High Temperature Creep Elongation + Thermal Fatigue + Carbon Buildup | GB/T 17492；GB/T 3280 |
| Sugar Syrup Pot/Solvent Tank | 304/316L | 2.0–5.0mm | 2B，Ra≤0.8μm | High Sugar + High Temperature + Cleaning Agent; Intergranular Corrosion at Welds | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
| Chocolate Polishing/Formation Contact Surface | 304 | 1.5–4.0mm | 2B / Mirror Finish Ra≤0.4μm | Oils + Sugar Powder Wear + Cleaning | GB/T 3280 |
| Oil Frying Pan | 304/316L | 2.0–6.0mm | 2B | High Temp Oil + Salt + Acid Cleaner | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
| Salt fermentation tank | 316L | 3.0–8.0mm | 2B，Ra≤0.8μm | High salt Cl⁻ + organic acid + microbial corrosion | GB/T 3280；NB/T 47014 |
| Workbench/Trough | 304/316L | 1.0–3.0mm | 2B/Rustproof | Cleaner, Wear, Food Contact | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
TableStandard configuration. Find Products, . Explore Suppliers, . Get Quotes, . About Us
Material essentials
- Most common grades in this industry are 304 (7), 316L (5), and 430 (2) —— numbers indicate the number of parts involved, useful for quoting and material ordering.
- High-temperature section also accumulates thermal fatigue and oxidation. Use 310S / heat-resistant castings (5/8 hit).
- Frequent cleaning and disinfection magnify the risk of intergranular corrosion (5/8 hit).
- Thickness range 0.6–8 mm: Thin plates are usually formed parts (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracking), thick plates are usually welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Common issues
What stainless steel is used most in food manufacturing?
By parts, 304 (7) appears the most frequently, followed by 316L (5), and 430 (2).
Which part is prone to problems?
Typical issue "sugar pot/sugar kettle": high sugar + high temperature + cleaning agent; intergranular corrosion at weld seams; recommended 304/316L, size 2.0–5.0 mm.
What thickness should I choose generally?
Thickness range for the list is 0.6–8 mm. Thin plates consider forming and surface quality, thick plates consider welding and structural strength; different manufacturers may have different values for the same part, review drawings or conditions to confirm.
Related materials and adjacent industries
Applications8
Thickness0.6–8mm