Maintenance

What are the characteristics of the material that makes it the most recommended material when vandal resistance, hygiene, maintenance costs and not least trend are of relevance.

Stainless steel is a general description for a group of steel products that consist of a minimum of 12% chrome in conjunction with varying quantities of nickel, molybdenum, titanium and carbon.

Most of the products in the Intra-group range of sanitary products have been classified as 18/10 (18/8) steel. The characteristic with this material is that nature itself maintain the stainless finish even though up to ¾ of the alloy is normal steel (iron).

The reason why the material can be defined as stainless is that the chromium, that constitute 18% of the alloy, connect to the oxygen around it. The oxygen in air and water is drawn to the chromium that creates a passive, durable film of chromium oxide. This film provides an unrivalled protection for the steel and if the film is damaged or one eve drill a hole in it, nature will than replace the oxygen which is necessary to maintain the film of chromium oxide. Consequently, daily cleaning of the finish is highly recommended.

One must be aware that the film of chromium oxide can be broken down and pitting can occur, if it is exposed to reducing conditions. Certain acids, chemicals and particularly the halogens (iodine, chlorine, fluorine, bromine) can provide these conditions.

It is obvious that stainless steel is a material well suited for products such as toilets, washbasins, washtroughs, urinals and hygiene products for most types of sanitary rooms - in schools and day nurseries, factories and laboratories, hotels and restaurants, ships and aircrafts.

These clients have highly different requirements and expectations. However, requirements they all have in common are that the products must be functional and easy to keep clean. In some environments rough use imposes extra heavy demands, requiring robust, durable products. In other environments the choice is decided by ornamental design details, often in pleasing combination with other materials.

Advanced technology has enabled Intra to create products with designs and details that were unthinkable earlier. Combined with other interesting materials this opened up new perspectives - perhaps particularly for people who like to defy convention and follow new paths.

The Intra Group