Pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare industry, in general, rely heavily on pipping systems for their various fundamental processes including chemical extraction, material processing, and brewing. Industrial piping companies produce products for transferring fluids, filling operations, and peristaltic pumping.
It is already clear that sanitary pipes should follow hygienic design and meet stringent FDA mandated standards of cleanliness, resistance to corrosion, and efficiency. Some materials can absorb the raw products or be permeable enough for the material to pass through. This, of course, is not desirable at all. Surface pockets prone to bacterial (and other) contamination are to be avoided at all costs lest the sterility is compromised.
Types of Pipes Used in the Healthcare sector
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Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is hailed as one of the best options for sanitary pipes. It can withstand extreme temperatures and doesn’t succumb to corrosion. When industrial piping companies use steel for their pharmaceutical projects, they electropolish the surface to better sterilization.
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Silicon
Silicon tubing is low-cost and can endure harsh conditions without corroding, but it is susceptible to particulate contamination.
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Aluminum
Aluminum is resistant to chloride corrosion and thus ideal for salt solutions. These pipes are strong but do not offer any flexibility.
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Plastic
Plastic is fairly popular given the material comes cheap and it doesn’t react in the face of most chemicals. Plastic however can only hold on so much against the high temperatures of a pharmaceutical plant and soon beings to lose its structural integrity.
Stainless Steel Piping Systems are the Best for Pharma Industries
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Natural Properties
The natural properties of stainless make it stand the test of the continuous onslaught of high temperature and harsh chemicals. Stainless steel can take on the wear and tear from chemicals, including salts, sanitizing agents, and even blood. Compared to other options, steel can withstand a much higher range of temperatures. Plastic, aluminum, and silicon are measly alternatives.
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Sterility and Electropolishing
Electropolishing smoothes out the surface of the stainless steel by evening out the microscopic irregularities. This makes thorough sanitation possible ensuring that no pockets remain for bacteria and other contaminants to latch on. Steel is also completely non-absorbent and thus impossible for impurities to seep through.
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Green and Sustainable
Finally, the third reason why industrial piping companies recommend stainless steel over other options is that it is significantly more environmentally conscious. Steel can be reused and recycled many times, unlike most polymers. In a world where sustainability becomes increasingly more important every passing day, pharmaceutical operations choosing steel is a major step towards a greener future. The plastic and silicon that cannot be remade into other items does not hold a candle to stainless steel that can be smelted many times and thus reused with relative ease.
International Pipes for Medical and Pharmaceutical Tubing
Founded in 1978, today we are a third-generation family-owned and operated company. We have come a long is the past 44 years, but never once have we compromised with the quality of the products and services we offer. Our company distributes new, used, and surplus steel pipes in different sizes and thicknesses. Get in touch with us at 800-716-7473. To get detailed updates join our email list via our website!