C15 · Beverage & Brewing
Stainless Steel Plates for Wine, Beverage and Specialty Tea Manufacturing: 316L/304 Selection and 10 Part List
In wine, beverage, and specialty tea manufacturing, we have compiled 10 parts that use stainless steel: commonly used 316L / 304 with thickness ranging from 1.5–8 mm.
List of Parts and Materials
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Specification / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage Filling Valve Body/Seat | 316L（1.4404/1.4435） | Valve Body Forgings | Electropolished Ra≤0.4μm | Hot Steam Sterilization 80–140℃ + Chlorine Wash → Pitting/SCC | ASME BPE；EHEDG；3-A；FDA |
| Purified Water Storage Tank | 316L | 3–8mm | Electropolished Ra≤0.4μm | Chloride pitting + weld SCC + dead angle biofilm | ASME BPE；GB/T 3280 |
| Purified Water Circulation Pipes/Bends/Tees | 316L | 1/2″–4″ | Electropolishing/Optical Brightening | Weld Heat Affected Zone Intergranular Corrosion + Chloride pitting | ASME BPE；GB/T 21833 |
| Ozone/Ultraviolet Disinfection Contacts | 316L | 2–5mm | Electropolishing/Dulling | Ozone + Ultraviolet + Humidity → Oxidation corrosion | ASME BPE；GB/T 3280 |
| Maltster/Flavoring Kettle | 304/316L | 3–8mm | 2B/Pickled | High Temperature 100℃+ Organic Acid+ Cleaner | GB/T 3280；NB/T 47014 |
| Cylinder Head/Tap for Beer Fermenter | 304/316L | 3–6mm | 2B，Ra≤0.8μm | CO₂+ Low pH+ Yeast Metabolites; Intergranular Corrosion Welding | GB/T 3280；ASME BPE |
| Keg | 304 | 1.5–3.0mm | 2B/Liquid WASH | Sodium Hydroxide/Water + CO₂ + Reconditioning | GB/T 3280；DIN 6644 |
| Vinification Tank/Gas Line | 304/316L | 2–6mm | 2B/ Pickling | Tartaric Acid + SO₂ + Cl⁻ Corrosion | GB/T 3280 |
| Inside Components of Distillation Tower / Condenser | 304/316L | 2–8mm | 2B/ Pickling | High-temperature steam + organic acid + alcohol | GB/T 3280 |
| Scrubbing and kneading contact piece for green tea | 304 | 1.5–4.0mm | 2B/Ra≤0.8μm | High temperature + catechins + organic acid | GB/T 3280；GB 4806.9 |
Inside chartBasic ConfigurationSpecify usage conditions, it's easier to specify than material grades.
Material Selection Tips
- Most common grades in this industry are 316L (8) and 304 (6). Parentheses indicate the number of parts involved, useful for quoting and material preparation.
- Start with Acid-Resistant 316L.
- Increase Concentration and Temperature: Look at 904L / Duplex (5/10 Hits).
- Common Corrosion Sources: Chlorides and Salts (Point Erosion, Galvanic Corrosion) (4/10 Hits).
Thickness Range: 1.5–8 mm (Consider Bending Rebound and Deep Drawing Cracks for Thin Sheets; Consider Heat Input and Sensitization for Thick Sheets).
Which stainless steel is used most in the beverage and specialty tea manufacturing industry?
Top 10 parts by total number: 316L (8) and 304 (6). Specific to a part still depends on the medium and temperature, e.g., stainless countertops require different grades depending on whether they come into contact with saltwater.
What type of part is most prone to problems?
According to failure descriptions, typical examples are "bottle filler bodies/seat": hot steam at 80–140°C + chlorine cleaning solution → pitting/electrochemical corrosion; recommended grade 316L (1.4404/1.4435), size forged body. For this type of condition, it's recommended to specify the medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method during design phase.
What thickness should I select?
Thickness range in the list is 1.5–8 mm. For thin plates, consider bending and surface finish; for thick plates, welding and structural strength. Values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same location. Recheck against your drawing or operating conditions.
Material and Specifications
Applications10