B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Plates for the Medical & Healthcare Sector: Choosing 304/316L and Five Part Lists
In the medical and healthcare field, we have organized five parts using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8–8 mm.
5 Parts and Material List
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone knife/bone scraper | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade thickness 3–1 mm | Matte/shot-blasted | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt edge + cracking + corrosion in boiling water |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade thickness 2–1 mm | Matte or polished | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Pivot loosening + corrosion |
| Drills/bone drills | 420b/440C | φ2–8 mm | Polished/varnish-coated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + thermal cracking + corrosion |
| Forceps/stitching forceps/clamps | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Matte or passivated | 38–45HRC; hardness difference between two parts ≤ 4HRC | Loss of elasticity + hinge wear + corrosion |
| Cabinets/dish towels/surgical carts/bed frames | 304/316L | 8–3.0 mm | 2B/polished/electropolished | Not cold-worked | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + cleaning agents + impact |
The table below isthe standard configuration.Different parts may move from 304 to 316L or 2205 based on operating conditions — explaining conditions is easier than specifying grades.
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 pricing and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin plates are mainly formed parts (considering reverse bending and deep-drawing cracking), thick plates are mainly welded structures (considering heat input and sensitivity).
FAQ
Which type of stainless steel is most used in the medical and healthcare field?
Total pages: 5, most frequent are 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). Selecting a specific part still depends on medium and temperature; for example, the working surface of 304 stainless steel should transition to 316L when in contact with seawater.
Which part is most prone to error?
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 medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method at the design stage.
Which thickness should I choose?
The thickness range in the list is 0.8–8 mm.
Formability and surface for thin plates, strength for thick plates; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part — refer to the drawing or your specific conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm