Seminar:
Materials challenges in food & pharma
– spotlight on hygiene, corrosion and rouge

Stainless steel is not always stainless. Dependent on the steel grade, the media, and the operating conditions, corrosion may occur and the bright and “perfect” steel may suffer from a minor flood of corrosion problems, spanning from the fairly uniform “general corrosion” to the more local (and more severe) attacks connected to pitting and crevice corrosion, as well as the destructive stress corrosion cracking.

For all types of corrosion, we take a closer look at the importance of the alloying elements of the steel, plus the effect of the media, including the concentration of salts (in particular chloride), the temperature, contact time, and also the effect of various oxidants. The latter is very important as the various disinfectants may contain a fair amount of oxidants, which may pose a risk to the steel if they are not handled correctly.

Finally, rouging is a “special problem” connected to pharma production. In short, rouge is a thin layer of ferric (Fe(III) oxides covering the steel. This is most annoying in a pure-water system, and although rouge has never caused penetration, a lot of effort is done trying to prevent the phenomenon, or at least reduce the problem. Here, mechanisms, causes, possible prevention, and removal is discussed.

There are several different polymer types that are suitable for hygiene systems. What should you consider to find the optimal solution for a given application? Focus on media, temperature, exposure time, cleaning systems, etc.

This presentation explores the challenges of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of stainless steel. The environment beneath biofilms can differ significantly from bulk water, creating conditions that may promote localized corrosion, thereby compromising hygiene, safety, and operational efficiency. Examples of MIC mechanisms will be provided, along with its impact on water installations and approaches for identifying and analyzing failures caused by MIC. Additionally, the talk will offer insights into strategies for reducing the threat of MIC and implementing mitigation measures to protect stainless steel surfaces while ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.