LASER POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL USE IN FOOD INDUSTRY, A REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol2.220Keywords:
stainless steel, laser treatment, surface modification, polishing, food processing industryAbstract
Aim of this article is to find and analyze up to date researches about stainless steel polishing using laser, to understand if there is potential for further research to find application of such surface processing technology for food processing equipment. Strict hygiene procedures are necessary to provide food safety, which could be obtained by different methods. Most known and frequently used hygiene methods are washing with water, cleaning solutions and using mechanical devices such as bristles, scrapers and materials such as cloth with paper. In food processing used materials by itself could be self-cleaning, when they have repelling properties (hydrophobic) or are as smooth as possible (polished). Surface condition plays significant role in food safe material hygiene. Rough surface and scratches tend to accumulate residue that is an environment for further microbiological activity. Due to these factors, it is required to produce and maintain smooth surfaces that are in direct contact with food. Since different materials are used in food processing, they have their own role and resistance against scratches and damage. Most commonly used material in food processing nowadays is AISI 304 and 316L grade stainless steel, which have optimal strength, corrosion resistance and durability against scratches. Stainless steel surface for food processing also has to be smooth, in order lower risks of contamination, which is usually obtained by mechanical or electro-chemical polishing. Despite complicity and costs of mechanical polishing, this technology is still widely used as it has been established for decades. With development of new technologies, such as laser technologies, new methods of surface treatment are available. Over many years, different researchers have proved, that laser treatment could make surface smoother, creating “polished effect”. Laser polishing of stainless steel surfaces could be a solution in future for achieving better hygiene in food processing.
Supporting Agencies
This study was made possible through Project Nr. 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/003 “Implementation of consolidation and management changes at Riga Technical University, Liepaja University, Rezekne Academy of Technology, Latvian Maritime Academy and Liepaja Maritime College for the progress towards excellence in higher education, science and innovation” funded by European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (grant No. C4835.Dok.1109 (P012.0113.02.13.19.04)). The authors acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Lyubomir Lazov for providing useful information and supporting experiments [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52]. Also, local milk processing plant JSC “Latgales piens” for providing “real life” exerience and supporting experiments.Downloads
References
[1] X.Tian, T.Li, Y.Liu, Y.Tian, Z.Li, Y.Wang, Y.Ma, Yu Li, X.Wang, W.Wang. Based on surface roughness and hydrophobicity to reduce the bacterial adhesion to collagen films for the ability to enhance the shelf life of food. Food Packaging and Shelf Life. Volume 48, March 2025, 101473.
[2] C.Turpín, A.Doménech-Sánchez. Biofilms formed by human skin microbiota on stainless steel surfaces: implications for pathogen control in food environments. Applied Food Research. Volume 6, Issue 1, June 2026, 101963.
[3] G.Li, L.Tang, X.Zhang, J.Dong. A review of factors affecting the efficiency of clean-in-place procedures in closed processing systems. Energy. Volume 178, 1 July 2019, p. 57-71.
[4] W.Kim, H.Huellemeier, D.R.Heldman. Recovery of cleaning agents from clean-in-place (CIP) wastewater using nanofiltration (NF) and forward osmosis (FO). Journal of Water Process Engineering. Volume 53, July 2023, 103617.
[5] X.Wang, V.M.Puri, A.Demirci, R.E.Graves. Mathematical modeling and cycle time reduction of deposit removal from stainless steel pipeline during cleaning-in-place of milking system with electrolyzed oxidizing water. Journal of Food Engineering. Volume 170, February 2016, p. 144-159.
[6] A.E.Guerrero-Navarro, A.G.Ríos-Castillo, C.Ripolles Avila, A.S.Hascoët, X.Felipe, J.J.Rodriguez Jerez. Development of a dairy fouling model to assess the efficacy of cleaning procedures using alkaline and enzymatic products. LWT. Volume 106, June 2019, p. 44-49.
[7] P.M.Tomasula, W.C.F.Yee, A.J.McAloon, D.W.Nutter, L.M.Bonnaillie. Computer simulation of energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and process economics of the fluid milk process. Journal of Dairy Science. Volume 96, Issue 5, May 2013, p. 3350-3368.
[8] Z.Hua, M.Zhu. Unlocking the Hidden Threat: Impacts of Surface Defects on the Efficacy of Sanitizers Against Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms on Food-contact Surfaces in Tree Fruit Packing Facilities. Journal of Food Protection. Volume 87, Issue 2, February 2024, 100213.
[9] M.Atapour, I.O.Wallinder, Y.Hedberg. Stainless steel in simulated milk and whey protein solutions – Influence of grade on corrosion and metal release. Electrochimica Acta. Volume 331, January 2020, 135428.
[10] M.Jimenez, G.Delaplace, N.Nuns, S.Bellayer, D.Deresmes, G.Ronse, G.Alogaili, M.Collinet-Fressancourt, M.Traisnel. Toward the understanding of the interfacial dairy fouling deposition and growth mechanisms at a stainless steel surface: A multiscale approach. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. Volume 404, 15 August 2013, p. 192-200.
[11] L.Nan, K.Yang, G.Ren. Anti-biofilm formation of a novel stainless steel against Staphylococcus aureus. Materials Science and Engineering: C. Volume 51, 1 June 2015, p. 356-361.
[12] I. Ostrov, I. Polishchuk, M. Shemesh, B. Pokroy, Superhydrophobic Wax Coatings for Prevention of Biofilm Establishment in Dairy Food. ACS Applied Bio Materials. 2019, 2, 11, pp. 4932–4940.
[13] N.Rungraeng, Y-C.Cho, S.H.Yoon, S.Jun. Carbon nanotube-polytetrafluoroethylene nanocomposite coating for milk fouling reduction in plate heat exchanger. Journal of Food Engineering. Volume 111, Issue 2, July 2012, p. 218-224.
[14] A.Abolins. Potential Laser Processing Parameters for Obtaining Milk Repelling Surface on Stainless Steel (AISI 316L). Environment. Technology. Resources. June 2025. Volume IV, p. 453-457.
[15] C.Rubio, D.Costa, M.N.Bellon-Fontaine, P.Relkin, C.M.Pradier, P.Marcus. Characterization of bovine serum albumin adsorption on chromium and AISI 304 stainless steel, consequences for the Pseudomonas fragi K1 adhesion. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. Volume 24, Issues 3–4, April 2002, p. 193-205.
[16] M.N.Leclercq-Perlat, M.Lalande. Cleanability in relation to surface chemical composition and surface finishing of some materials commonly used in food industries. Journal of Food Engineering. Volume 23, Issue 4, 1994, p. 501-517.
[17] O.M.Magens, J.F.A.Hofmans, Y.Adriaenssens, D.I.Wilson. Comparison of fouling of raw milk and whey protein solution on stainless steel and fluorocarbon coated surfaces: Effects on fouling performance, deposit structure and composition. Chemical Engineering Science. Volume 195, February 2019, p. 423-432.
[18] I.Georgakopoulos-Soares, E.L. Papazoglou, P.Karmiris-Obratański, N.E.Karkalos, A.P.Markopoulos. Surface antibacterial properties enhanced through engineered textures and surface roughness: A review. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. Volume 231, November 2023, 113584.
[19] A.Avila-Sierra, Z.J.Zhang, P.J.Fryer. Effect of surface characteristics on cleaning performance for CIP system in food processing. Energy Procedia. Volume 161, March 2019, p. 115-122.
[20] S.Tantratian, N.Srimangkornkaew, C.Prakitchaiwattana, R.Sanguandeekul. Effect of different stainless steel surfaces on the formation and control of Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm. LWT. Volume 166, August 2022, 113788.
[21] J.Tang, S.Li, Y.Liu, G.Pei, M.Yan. Significantly enhanced biocompatibility and performance of 3D-printed porous 316L stainless steel via a simple and efficient surface polishing approach. Materials & Design. Volume 251, March 2025, 113640.
[22] I.Ihara, E.Nakano, E.McLamore, J.K.Schueller, K.Toyoda, K.Umetsu, H.Yamaguchi. Cleanability of milk deposits on inner stainless steel tubing surfaces prepared by magnetic abrasive finishing. Engineering in Agriculture, Environment and Food. Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2017, p.63-68.
[23] K.Aragaki, I.M.A.Mohamed, H.Fujiwara, M.Farghali, G.Yoshida, I.Ihara, J.K.Schueller, H.Yamaguchi. Reduction of CO2 emission and energy use during cleaning of milk deposits using ultra-smooth stainless tubing. Environmental Challenges. Volume 23, June 2026, 101446.
[24] D.Z.Liu, S.Jindal, J.Amamcharla, S.Anand, L.Metzger. Short communication: Evaluation of a sol-gel–based stainless steel surface modification to reduce fouling and biofilm formation during pasteurization of milk. Journal of Dairy Science. Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2017, p. 2577-2581.
[25] I.Ihara, H.Tokuda, J.K.Schueller, I.M.A.Mohamed, Y.Sakamoto, K.Toyoda, K.Umetsu, H.Yamaguchi. Surface Roughness and Cleanability: Evaluating the Impact of Magnetic Abrasive Finishing on Dairy Equipment. Journal of Food Process Engineering. Volume 48, Issue 4, April 2025, e70106.
[26] R.K.Rai, H.Kanniyappan, V.Muthuvijayan, K.Venkitasamy, A.Jayakrishnan. Durable polymeric N-halamine functionalized stainless steel surface for improved antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity. Materials Advances. Volume 2, Issue 3, February 2021, p. 1090-1098.
[27] A.Fornés, A.R.Soler, S.Ribes, J.M.Barat, É.Pérez-Esteve, P.Soler, R.Salinas, Y.Moreno. Prevention of bacterial adhesion in water conduction systems using vanillin-functionalized grates. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 12, Issue 5, October 2024, 114122.
[28] A.Ávila-Sierra, Z.J.Zhang, P.J.Fryer. Effect of surface roughness and temperature on stainless steel - Whey protein interfacial interactions under pasteurisation conditions. Journal of Food Engineering. Volume 301, July 2021, 110542.
[29] S.Jindal, S.Anand, K.Huang, J.Goddard, L.Metzger, J.Amamcharla. Evaluation of modified stainless steel surfaces targeted to reduce biofilm formation by common milk sporeformers. Journal of Dairy Science. Volume 99, Issue 12, December 2016, Pages 9502-9513.
[30] J.F.Frank, R.Chmielewski. Influence of Surface Finish on the Cleanability of Stainless Steel. Journal of Food Protection. Volume 64, Issue 8, 1 August 2001, p. 1178-1182.
[31] M.Kořenek, T.Ivanova, V.Heger, K.Dočkal, Miroslav Mashlan. Impact of surface roughness and additive manufacturing-induced structural defects on oxidation of 316L stainless steel. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. Volume 39, December 2025, p. 6823-6834.
[32] F.Ottenklev, M.Adell, D.Orlov. Non-monotonic evolution of surface roughness in a stainless steel during cold deformation. Materials Science and Engineering: A. Volume 799, January 2021, 140150.
[33] S.M.Jafarpour, C.Menegus, M.Bolan, S.Mändl, S.Martin, A.Dalke, C.Cancellieri, A.Leineweber, L.P.H.Jeurgens, H.Biermann. Investigation of changes in surface characteristics of AISI 316L stainless steel induced by different surface activation types in correlation with the surface finishing state. Surfaces and Interfaces. Volume 78, December 2025, 108150.
[34] C.D.Giorgi, V.Furlan, A.Gökhan.Demir, E.Tallarita, G.Candiani, B.Previtali. Laser Micro-polishing of Stainless Steel for Antibacterial Surface Applications. Procedia CIRP. Volume 49, 2016, Pages 88-93.
[35] G.G.Engoor, S.Selvaraj, N.Acharya, V.Muthuvijayan, S.Krishnan, S.N.Unni, N.J.Vasa. Laser polarization induced surface structuring of 316L stainless steel and influence on biocompatibility and antibacterial performance. Results in Surfaces and Interfaces. Volume 19, May 2025, 100547.
[36] J.Outón, M.Carbú, M.Domínguez, J.J.Delgado, V.Matres, E.Blanco. IPSS: A promising strategy for the generation of effective bacteria-repellent surfaces. Surfaces and Interfaces. Volume 57, January 2025, 105780.
[37] J.Outón, M.Carbú, M.Domínguez, M.Ramírez-del-Solar, G.Alba, M.Vlahou, E.Stratakis, V.Matres, E.Blanco. Size matters: how periodicity and depth of LIPSS influences E. coli adhesion on ferritic stainless steel. Applied Surface Science. Volume 663, August 2024, 160225.
[38] E.Liu, X.Chen, Y.Jin, Y.Chen, J.Xu, D.Shan, B.Guo. Surface morphology evolution and tribological behavior in nanosecond pulsed laser polishing of S136 mold steel. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. Volume 22, February 2023, p. 3230-3244.
[39] A.Abolins, A.Aversa, Y.Dekhtyar, M.Dortins, M.Gorohovs, G.Khroustalyova, L.Lazov, A.Mamajevs, M.A.H.Olaish, A.Rapoport, E.Skrebele, H.Sorokins, E.Sprudzs. Electrical Potential and Cell Immobilisation Capacity of a Laser-Treated Titanium Alloy Surface. Materials (Basel). March 2026, 19(6):1051.
[40] L.Lazov, L.Linkov, N.Angelov, E.Sprudzs, A.Abolins. A Predictive Model and Comparative Analysis of Laser-Induced Phase Transition Thresholds for Four Key Engineering Alloys. Materials (Basel). February 2026, 19(5):927.
[41] L. Lazov, H. Deneva, P. Narica, “Factors influencing the color laser marking” Vide Tehnologija Resursi Environment Technology ResourcesOpen source preview, 2015, 1, p. 102–107.
[42] L. Lazov, P. Narica, J. Valiniks, H. Deneva, D. Klavins, “Optimization of CO2 laser parameters for wood cutting.”Vide Tehnologija Resursi Environment Technology Resources Open source preview, 2017, 3, p. 168–173.
[43] L, Lazov., N. T. Dolchinkov, еt al, “Study of laser cutting and marking on the filt with the help of a CO2-laser”, Vide Tehnologija Resursi Environment Technology ResourcesOpen source preview, 2019, 3, p. 143–14.
[44] I. Balchev, A. Atanasov, A. Lengerov, L. Lazov, L., “Investigation of the influence of the scanning speed and step in laser marking and engraving of aluminum”, Journal of Physics Conference Series Open source preview, 2021, 1859(1), 01200.
[45] L. Lazov, Е. Teirumnieks, I. Draganov, N. Angelov, „Numerical modeling and simulation for laser beam welding of ultrafine-grained aluminium“, Laser Physics Open source preview, 2021, 31(6), 066001.
[46] L. Lazov, T. Karadzhov, „Methods for measuring laser power“, Vide Tehnologija Resursi Environment Technology ResourcesOpen source preview, 2021, 3, p. 173–180.
[47] L.Lazov, A.Snikeris, , I.Balchev, Е.Teirumnieks, E., „Laser marking and engraving of household and industrial plastic products“, Journal of Physics Conference SeriesOpen source preview, 2021, 1859(1), 012016.
[48] L. Lazov, Е. Teirumnieks, I. Draganov, N. Angelov, „Numerical modeling and simulation for laser beam welding of ultrafine-grained aluminium“, Laser Physics Open source preview, 2021, 31(6), 066001.
[49] I. Balchev, A. Atanasov, A. Lengerov, L. Lazov, L., “Investigation of the influence of the scanning speed and step in laser marking and engraving of aluminum”, Journal of Physics Conference Series Open source preview, 2021, 1859(1), 01200
[50] R.S.Ghalot,L. Lazov, E. Yankov, N. Angelov, “Investigation of the Change in Roughness and Microhardness during Laser Surface Texturing of Copper Samples by Changing the Process Parameters.“ Coatings 2023, 13, 1970.
[51] Lazov L., Dolchinkov N., Shterev Y., Lilianova St., Pacejs Anton, Use of CO2 laser for marking and clearing of textile materials for manufacture of military equipment, 12th International Scienfic and Practical conference Environment. Technology. Resources. ISBN 1691-5402, Vol 3, 20-22.06.2019. Rezekne, pp. 32-36
[52] Dolchinkov N., Lazov L., Shterev Y., Boganova D., Peneva M., Study of laser cutting and marking on the filt with the help of a CO2-laser, 12th International Scienfic and Practical conference Environment. Technology. Resources. ISBN 1691-5402, Vol 3, 20-22.06.2019q Rezekne, Latvia, pp. 143-147
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Arturs Abolins, Didzis Adejanovs
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
