B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Sheet for Medical and Hygienic Applications: Selecting 304/316L and a 5-Part Component List
In the medical and hygienic field, we have compiled five components made from stainless steel: generally 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8–8 mm.
5 Components and Material List
| Component | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Failure Mode | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Knife/Bone Scraper | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade Thickness 3–1mm | Matte/Shot Peened | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt Edge + Cracking + Boiling Water Corrosion |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade Thickness 2–1mm | Matte or Polished | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Loose Pivot + Corrosion |
| Bone Drill/Bur | 420b/440C | φ2–8mm | Polished/Passivated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Thermal Cracking + Corrosion |
| Forceps/Suture Forceps/Clamps | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3mm | Matte or Normalized | 38–45HRC; Hardness Difference Between Two Parts ≤ 4HRC | Elastic Failure + Hinge Wear + Corrosion |
| Towel/Surgical Fiber Cabinets/Bed Frames | 304/316L | 0.8–3.0mm | 2B/Polished/Electropolished | Not Hardened by Cooling | Repeated Steam Sterilization at 134°C + Cleaning Agents + Pitting Corrosion |
The table below shows thestandard configuration.Different parts can switch from 304 to 316L or 2205 based on operating conditions — describing the conditions is easier than specifying the grade.
Material Selection Tips
- The most common grades in this industry 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 bend-back and deep-drawing cracking), thick plates are mainly welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stainless steel is most widely used for medical and hygienic applications?
Total pages: 5, the most common being 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). The specific choice for a given part still depends on media and temperature; for example, a stainless steel table should switch from 304 to 316L when in contact with brine.
Which parts are most prone to problems?
Failure description, typically "bone knife/hatchet": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; Recommended grade: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3mm. For this type of application, it is recommended to determine media concentration, temperature, and cleaning method during the design phase.
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 plates; values may vary between equipment manufacturers for the same part — review your drawings or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm