What makes stainless steel so refined.

Transcription

1 Materials What makes stainless steel so refined. Find out more about the material, advantages and care.

2 The highest quality stainless steel from BLANCO. The natural appeal of stainless steel comes from properties that make it the ideal material for kitchen sinks. But not all stainless steels are alike. At BLANCO we use only the highest-quality stainless steel that is selected according to specifi c criteria and that is also subjected to strict quality checks. The result is top-class BLANCO stainless steel sinks that meet the most stringent requirements in terms of material, functionality and design. Why not see for yourself and read more in the following pages. Contents. A perfect appearance. Page 3 The highest-quality material. Page 4 Unique properties. Page 6 Valuable cleaning and care tips. Page 8 Unique surfaces from BLANCO. Page 10 2

3 A perfect appearance. An expression of BLANCO s special commitment. Classic yet timeless. Aesthetic. Brillant. Stainless steel as a material stands out by virtue of its classic yet timeless and elegant appearance. Thanks to its neutral colouration, stainless steel can be combined in many different ways, allowing it to blend harmoniously into any kitchen environment. Stainless steel is very easy to shape. BLANCO makes perfect use of this material property to create sinks with coordinated details. Whether for example it s the modern, fl at IF-rim or the elegant C-overfl ow that fi ts seamlessly into the bowl. There s hardly any other material that combines elegance and premium quality so perfectly. BLANCO stainless steel sinks still retain their refi ned, homogeneous sheen even after many years. 3

4 The highest-quality material. BLANCO makes the difference. Premium quality. Only the best. For our sinks, we at BLANCO use only the highest-grade stainless steel of the quality rating 18/10 (1.4301). This basically consists of the elements iron (72 %), chromium (18 %) and nickel (10 %). The specification of the alloy 18/10 has been subject to the prescribed industry standard of the German institution of norms (DIN) for decades. This allows us to ensure that within this standard, the material guarantees constant quality inside certain tolerances. At BLANCO, stainless steel is purchased within the familiar DIN standard specification and is also subject to the strictest selection criteria. Only material of the highest grade that meets our own BLANCO material specifications enters production and guarantees high BLANCO quality. In addition, constant quality inspections and innovative refining processes allow every BLANCO stainless steel sink to become a unique quality product. 4

5 Has stainless steel changed as a material in recent decades? No stainless steel has not changed. For our sinks, we at BLANCO use only the highest-grade stainless steel of the quality rating 18/10 (1.4301). The specifi cation of the alloy 18/10 has been subject to the prescribed industry standard for decades. However, new and modern sink designs with many smooth surfaces mean that the fi rst traces of use become more clearly visible (see care tips on Page 8/9). Rustproof. Self-healing. 100 % recyclable. Stainless steel is always rustproof. If fl ecks of rust form on the surface, this is extraneous rust that comes for example from an object made of a lower-quality metal. To remove extraneous surface rust, we recommend using BLANCO POLISH together with a soft sponge (for details see Page 9 11). The rustproof property of stainless steel is obtained through what is known as the passive layer of the alloy component chromium. This passive layer is even able to heal itself if it has been damaged. The oxygen in the atmosphere is suffi cient for this. This is referred to as a self-healing surface. Stainless steel makes a signifi cant contribution towards conserving the resources of our environment, because it can be reused multiple times thanks to its raw material and recycling properties. 5

6 Unique properties. Discover refined advantages with BLANCO. Hygienic. Resistant. Easy care. The surface of BLANCO stainless steel is smooth and pore-free. Dirt, bacteria and microorganisms cannot accumulate there. It s not without reason that stainless steel is the material of choice in places such as catering kitchens and hospitals where hygiene has the highest priority. High-quality BLANCO stainless steel has a natural resistance to common household acids (such as acetic or citric acid). Stainless steel is also resistant to marks and stains such as those that can be made by coffee or certain types of fruit and vegetables. With minimum care, BLANCO stainless steel will maintain its value and brilliance for decades (see Valuable cleaning and care tips on Page 8). 6

7 Can stainless steel sinks rust? No, stainless steel is always rustproof. Stainless steel sinks will not rust if they are cared for regularly and are subjected to normal household wear & tear. Marks on the sink are caused only by limescale deposits that trap dirt particles. Important notes on care: Remove dirt and limescale deposits regularly. Do not use bleaches, chlorine (normally sodium hypochlorite) or cleaning agents containing hydrochloric acid. Do not expose to liquids with a high salt content for long. Do not leave any metallic objects (made of metals other than stainless steel) standing on the damp sink for long. Also see Pages 8 and 9 for valuable cleaning and care tips. Safe for food use. Robust and elastic. Heat-resistant and non-fading. Stainless steel taints neither the appearance nor the fl avour of food. Stainless steel is robust and elastic when hit or dropped onto. Crockery dropping onto it does not break as easily because the material gives way thanks to its elasticity, thus making it more likely to absorb impacts. Stainless steel is heat-resistant up to 300 C. Even long periods of sunlight will not alter the colour or texture of this elegant material. 7

8 Valuable cleaning and care tips. BLANCO stands for quality. More and more robust. Simple to clean. Naturally limescale-free. Stainless steel possesses a natural resistance. However, scratches caused by harder materials such as ceramics, glass and scouring agents are visible on its surface. The occurrence of minor traces of use is natural on stainless steel and cannot be avoided. A surface with a used appearance, known as the patina, is gradually created. Regular care makes it increasingly resistant and gives it a harmonious sheen. For daily cleaning, it is sufficient to use a damp micro-fibre cloth or a soft sponge with a household cleaning agent such as detergent or, if necessary, a vinegar-based cleaning agent. Heavier limescale marks and stains can be removed completely naturally by employing the BLANCO household tip: Vinegar water (20 % vinegar, 80 % water) or some lemon juice diluted in water. For very stubborn limescale marks and stains, we recommend BLANCO ANTIKALK it cleans BLANCO stainless steel surfaces both effectively and gently. Daily dry rubbing of the sink helps to prevent marks and stains. 8

9 How can marks and stains be prevented? Most simply by rubbing the sink dry after every use. Remaining marks and stains can be treated using the usual cleaning agents approved for use on stainless steel in order to dissolve the limescale. BLANCO supplies effective cleaning agents that are specially produced for the material. BLANCO ANTIKALK (cleans effectively but is still gentle on all surfaces) A cleaning agent to care for BLANCO stainless steel surfaces and taps. A recipe specially designed for BLANCO taps and sinks. Particularly effective for removing stubborn limescale stains Gentle on all surfaces of BLANCO sinks and taps Environmentally-friendly because it s biodegradable Item no BLANCO POLISH (for thorough cleaning every 1 to 2 weeks) Cleaning and care agent for BLANCO stainless steel sinks and worktops. For thorough cleaning and removing traces of use. Helps to remove minor scratches, extraneous rust and stains Leaves a silky-matt sheen Water just rolls off the surface after use Prevents fi ngerprints and other dirt from settling Use BLANCO POLISH only in the brushing direction. It must not be used on Natural Finish, Linen Effect and Silk Matt stainless steel surfaces, or on chrome-fi nish surfaces and kitchen taps (see Page 10/11). Item no

10 Unique surfaces from BLANCO. Variety in appearance and functionality. BLANCO stainless steel sinks are available with different surfaces, all of which produce a variety of visual effects: Surface Material property Product recommendation for cleaning Special cleaning instructions BLANCO Satin Polish The most elegant surface High sheen Microfibre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK BLANCO POLISH Thanks to its smoother texture, the BLANCO satin polish surface is somewhat easier to clean than the BLANCO brushed finish surface. We recommend that you always clean in the visible brushing direction, otherwise the result can be a permanent change in the surface texture. BLANCO Brushed Finish Homogeneously brushed surface Microfibre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK BLANCO POLISH Always clean in the brushing direction, otherwise the result can be a permanent change in the surface texture. BLANCO Natural Finish Standard surface Not polished Microfibre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK BLANCO POLISH must not be used on the natural finish surface, since it could partially alter the surface. BLANCO Linen Effect Conceals signs of wear & tear and limescale deposits Microfibre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK BLANCO POLISH must not be used on the linen effect surface, because this causes a partial change to the surface and the sink can then only be cleaned again with difficulty. 10

11 Where do scratches come from in the first few weeks? BLANCO stainless steel sinks are made of premium-grade stainless steel of quality rating 18/10 and using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. However, the material itself excludes the possibility of absolute resistance to scratches. The fi rst traces of use are more clearly visible due to new, modern sink designs with many smooth surfaces. Only regular care gradually results in a silky-matt sheen on a used surface that is relatively resistant to scratching. The stainless steel manufacture of BLANCO SteelArt brings you exclusive hand-made sinks and custom worktops in two surface fi nishes. These differ in terms of their degree of sheen and their care properties: Surface Material property Product recommendation for cleaning Special cleaning instructions BLANCO SteelArt Satin Polish Highest sheen Linear fi nish Microfi bre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK BLANCO POLISH Thanks to its smoother texture, the brushed surface BLANCO SteelArt satin polish is easier to clean and care for than the ground fi nish. Always clean in the brushing direction and on no account use circular movements, otherwise the result can be a permanent change in the surface texture. BLANCO SteelArt Brushed Finish Silk matt Ground fi nish Microfi bre cloth BLANCO ANTIKALK Always clean in the direction of the grain and on no account use circular movements, otherwise the result can be a permanent change in the surface texture. Intensive polishing in one spot results in local changes to the degree of sheen. You can fi nd more information about BLANCO stainless steel sinks at: and 11

12 4448/ENG/12-13 SAP BLANCO GmbH + Co KG 2013 All rights reserved. Subject to alterations and errors without notice. Slight deviations in colour are possible. 12