The vast majority of sanitary piping systems and related sanitary fitting components consist of stainless steel.Stainless steel features a very smooth, easy-to-clean surface that serves as a safe and effective option for sanitary applications. It is naturally antimicrobial, and will not rust or corrode,even when exposed to oil, chemicals or corrosive substances. Stainless steel sanitary piping and fittings come in a number of grades,which represent the quality of the material.Higher grades often come at a higher price,but feature a smoother surface that’s easy to keep completely clean and free of germs. Lower grade are more economical,but may not be as smooth. Rougher textures on the surface of a sanitary fitting can allow germs to hide an make cleaning more difficult. All of these fittings are generally used with gasket made from food-grade rubber rather than traditional rubber products.