Utility Cart Quandary – Why Is a Stainless Steel Cart Better Than the Rest?
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Utility carts are constructed of many types of materials from stainless steel, chrome plated steel, aluminum, polyethylene, other varied plastic products to a combination of these materials. While a utility cart made of other materials might be less expensive, a good stainless steel cart is unmatched in durability, appearance, ease of cleaning and ability to be recycled. Many steel carts are constructed of ferritic stainless, one of five classes of stainless steel.
Even though the initial investment for a good stainless steel utility cart will be higher than comparable size carts made of other materials, the extra cost will usually pay off in longer cart life. Stainless steel is a durable and strong material. Just because a cart is made of stainless, however, doesn't guarantee it will last. Beware of manufacturers who use less expensive or incompatible metal for their screws, fasteners or wheels. The effects of galvanic corrosion should be carefully considered with any stainless steel construction. Rust and deterioration of these key parts can shorten the cart's working life. It pays to investigate different manufacturers for customer complaints and testimonials and to select a reputable company. Talk to business owners who use utility carts to get their opinions on the best cart brands, styles and construction materials.
If you select a good quality stainless steel cart, not only will it last longer, it will continue to look good for a longer time with very little care. By definition stainless steel is a low carbon steel that contains at least 10.5% chromium by weight. The chromium forms a chromium oxide film on the outer surface of the stainless steel that helps prevent corrosion and actually heals damage caused by abrasion or chemical injury as long as adequate oxygen is present. These characteristics, corrosion resistance and self healing ability, help preserve its attractive appearance. Stainless is pleasing to the eye and is available in various finishes including polished, matte, satin, mirror and brushed. It also comes in heat colored finishes with a spectrum of colors for those with a specific color scheme in mind.
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When cleanliness is critical, in hospitals, labs, food service and food processing industries, stainless can't be beat. In most settings it simply needs to be wiped down and can easily be steam cleaned. There is no flaking, scaling or pealing, no need to paint or reapply protective coatings.
In grimy, greasy or chemically rich environments, again stainless is the best choice. You just can't let it stay greasy and grimy. Keeping it clean and free of dirt, grime and chemicals is very important to preserve its corrosion fighting characteristics. If the surfaces don't get adequate oxygen, they can rust and corrode. When cleaning with water isn't enough, non chloride detergents, non abrasive neutral cleaners (non acid) or specified solvents can effectively remove grime and chemicals, making sure to follow manufacturers' recommendations. After using any type of cleaning agent, rinsing with water and drying with a soft cloth is recommended.
Stainless steel is completely recyclable. In our world of ever increasing garbage and pollution, especially from slow degrading plastics, it is good to have an environmentally friendly product like stainless that can be reworked into new usable products.
Many stainless utility carts are constructed of ferritic stainless steel. Of the five stainless classes, the ferritic class is the second largest, making up about 25% of stainless steel production. The other classes are austenitic (the largest class), martensitic, duplex and precipitation hardening steels. Stainless steel is composed of iron, carbon and chromium in combination with other possible alloys including nickel, molybdenum, aluminum, copper, titanium, manganese and vanadium. Other possible non metallic elements added are nitrogen, sulfur and silicon. The specific class is determined by the alloys and elements employed, the percentages of those alloys and elements present, the characteristics of the end product and the processing methods used to produce it. Each class has properties that make it better suited for specific uses. The ferritic class is composed primarily of iron and 10.5 to 30.0% chromium with very low carbon content. It is less expensive to produce than the austenitic class. It can be shaped and has good ductility but less than that of the austenitics. Ferritics are magnetic, have good corrosion resistance but are not the toughest of the stainless steel classes. The higher grade ferritics such as type 430 are good general purpose steels, used to make utility carts, restaurant equipment, sinks, interior architectural trim and automotive trim.
Stainless carts cost more than other types of utility carts but are generally worth the investment. Care must be taken to select a good quality cart from a reputable manufacturer. Stainless steel will last longer, will look better, will require less maintenance, will clean and sanitize easily and will help preserve our environment.
Copyright 2010-Rebecca Curtis. All rights are reserved worldwide. Reprinting rights: This article may be reprinted as long as it is not edited in any way, gives the author named credit for the article and follows Articlebase terms of Use.
Rebecca H. Curtis is the author of Utility Cart Quandary - Why Is a Stainless Steel Cart Better Than the Rest? She and her dad, Harvey, own and operate a website specializing in the sale of high quality, affordable stainless steel utility carts. Please visit our site at http://www.utilitycartsonline.com
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