Last month Steritool introduced yet another addition to its stainless steel line of autoclave safe tools. They are now offering feeler gauges that come in sets of 20 and are suitable for laboratory, R&D, and clean room environments. Customers can select gauges that are laser marked in inches or millimeters. These autoclavable medical instruments meet the same exacting standards as medical and dental equipment. They are ideal for use in situations where ferrous contamination is unacceptable.
Stainless steel is considered higher quality than carbon steel because of its corrosion resistant nature. The difference is mainly the 10% minimum content of chromium in stainless steel. Carbon steel will rust in the presence of air and moisture – two things that are present during medical autoclave and sterilization procedures. This is one reason stainless steel is such a popular material for the interior jackets of autoclaving equipment.
Unlike iron oxide (rust), chromium oxide does not flake off and cause particulate contamination. This means the oxidized layer that forms on the exposed surface of an object remains in place – effectively protecting it from eroding. If stainless steel is scratched, it has the ability to “self repair” as new molecules of chromium oxide form. This attribute is referred to as passivity. Greater passivation can be achieved by enriching the surface with an even higher chrome to iron ratio.
This is not the same thing as the chrome plating done to carbon steel tools. If chrome plating over carbon steel is damaged, the metal underneath it will rust. Stainless steel instruments should be stored separately from carbon steel tools to prevent cross contamination with rust particles
The Steritool Company
Steritool has been in business since 1993. This manufacturer provides a full line of stainless steel hand tools that can be run through thousands of sterilization cycles with no substantial deterioration. They can also be decontaminated using aggressive disinfectants. Cleanliness and sterility can therefore be ensured by autoclaving this corrosion resistant equipment after each use.
The company focuses on meeting the needs of all industries that abide by good manufacturing practices. Food and pharmaceutical processing, biotech, and medical environments can all benefit from access to these quality instruments. Steritool will also create custom tools based on a client’s specifications. As a direct to customer distributor, this company works closely to evolve its product line as new needs arise.
Steritools new gauges aren’t just for big research centers and clean room environments. They will come in handy for small businesses as diverse as tattoo parlors and dentists offices. Both require accurate measurements to achieve the best aesthetic results. Feeler gauges are used in cosmetic dentistry to measure the gap between adjacent teeth. Tattoo artists use these tools to make adjustments for contact points. The ability to sterilize any and all equipment that comes in contact with clients is absolutely essential.
Both industries also favor small, compact bench top autoclaves. These are a very cost conscious option for anyone who has low volume, ongoing instrument sterilization needs. Check the information on this free report – it can save you money by ensuring you are making the right purchasing decision.