B12 · Medical & Health
Stainless steel sheets for medical and hygiene use: 304/316L selection and 5 parts lists
In the medical and hygiene sector, we have compiled five parts that use stainless steel: the commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8 to 8 mm.
5 parts and materials list
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone knife/Bone scraper | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade thickness 3–1 mm | Matte/Bead blasted | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Dull edge + Cracking + Boiling water corrosion |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade thickness 2–1 mm | Matte or polished | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Pivot loosening + Corrosion |
| Bone drills/Bits | 420b/440C | φ2–8 mm | Polished/Coated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Thermal cracking + Corrosion |
| Forceps/Suture forceps/Grasping forceps | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Matte or passivated | 38–45HRC; Hardness difference between parts ≤ 4HRC | Elastic failure + Hinge wear + Corrosion |
| Cabinets/kitchen cloths/surgical carts/bed frames | 304/316L | 0.8–3.0 mm | 2B/Polished/Electropolished | No hardening | Repeated 134°C steam sterilization + Cleaning agents + Pitting |
The table below isStandard configuration.Different parts may move from 304 to 316L or 2205 depending on operating conditions — explaining the conditions is easier than specifying grades.
Material selection tips
- The most common grades in this sector are 304 (2), 316L (2) and 420 (1) — the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of parts involved, useful for quoting and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheets are mainly formed parts (considering springback and cracking in deep drawing), thick sheets are mainly welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
FAQ
Which stainless steel is most used for medical and hygiene applications?
Total pages: 5, the most frequent is 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). For a specific part it still depends on the medium and temperature; for example, a stainless steel countertop should move from 304 to 316L when in contact with salt water.
Which part is most prone to failure?
Failure description, typically "bone knife/cleaver": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; Recommended grade: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3 mm. For this type of application, it is recommended to specify the medium concentration, temperature and cleaning method at the design stage.
What thickness should I choose?
The thickness range in the list is 0.8–8 mm.
Formability and surface for thin sheets, strength for thick sheets; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part; check your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm