Stainless Steel Hand Tools – A Preventative Solution to Ferrous Contamination

Even when sterilized before use, ordinary chrome-plated carbon steel hand tools can still be a large contributing factor to the problem of process contamination. A sterilized carbon steel tool is still a ferrous tool, and when used against stainless steel fasteners, for example, transfers the exposed iron particles from the tool to the surface of the stainless. In an oxygen environment with even low levels of humidity, these exposed particles react in the formation of iron oxide, or rust. Using stainless steel hand tools in the maintenance and operation of process equipment can eliminate the risk factor of ferrous contamination.