STM is Australasia 's major stainless steel tube manufacturer. And Matrix is proud to be a major supplier of All Australian made tubing.

There are fifteen mills operating at a new site in Croydon Victoria , and five at the Auckland plant in New Zealand . As well as the mills there is an impressive range of associated plant and equipment, which enables STM to provide quality stainless steel tubular products to all recognised tube standards. Versatility is a key tenant pursued by STM, we welcome discussions with customers and try to surprise by solving the most difficult tube problems.

Food Industry Applications

STM produces a range of tubing developed for the food industry, where product transfer, free of contamination is a critical requirement.
An Australian standard known as AS 1528.1 has been developed, by interested groups, associated with the food industry, to cover the use of stainless tube and fittings.
The guiding principal was to produce a standard to suit Australian requirements.
The standard is designed for flexibility, and a common sense approach.
STM's contribution has been the development and enhancement of tubing to 1528. This is an ongoing process, with additional sizes, and improvements to meet the changing needs of the food industry. STM now makes up to 203 mm food grade tube.

Important elements of the standard are:-

Cold rolled strip in 2B finish is used to make the tube. The weld is the TIG process without filler wire. The weld must be cold worked to merge into the adjoining parent metal, essentially to remove the effects of the weld, to prevent contamination build up.

•  The Tube must have a minimum of surface forming and roll marks, both internal and external, to prevent the build up of deposits which promote harmful bacteria growth.

•  Close dimensional tolerances are required for ease of fabrication and compatibility with fittings.

•  Quality control and traceability are important. The tube must be line marked, to aid identification. Product must be consistent and repeatable.

•  Tubes are supplied in a variety of finishes including; As Welded, As welded Annealed, OD polished to 600 grit, and ID electro polished internal bore.

STM can highlight the following technical advances illustrating the high quality of it's food grade tube:-

•  New rotational head technology produces tube true to size, with tolerances at least 50% better than standard. This technology also produces tube almost free of roll marks.

•  New weld bead work units produces tube down to 16mm cold worked.

•  Polishing plant as been replaced and STM now produces all tube to 600 grit or better.

Why is stainless used?

Food often contains corrosive constituents. The most common types of corrosion are pitting and crevice corrosion, with the possibility of stress corrosion at elevated temperatures in acidic solutions containing chlorides.

Attack is likely to occur in heat affected zones adjacent to welds. It is important to use only high quality welded tubes and to ensure that joint welds are of the highest quality. Internal welds should be purged with an inert gas, such as argon, and external welds passivated.

Care must be taken with detergents and disinfectants as these pose a potential problem is used incorrectly. Quickly flushing with clean water after use is essential.

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