B12 · Medical & Health
Stainless Steel Sheets for Medical & Hygiene Use: 304/316L Selection and 5 Parts Lists
In the medical and hygiene sector, we have organized five categories of stainless steel parts: commonly 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses of 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/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/Bone bits | 420b/440C | φ2–8mm | Polished/Coated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Thermal cracking + Corrosion |
| Forceps/Suture forceps/Grasping forceps | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3mm | Matte or Passivated | 38–45HRC; Hardness difference between parts ≤ 4HRC | Elastic failure + Hinge wear + Corrosion |
| Cabinets/kitchen towels/surgical carts/bed frames | 304/316L | 8–3.0mm | 2B/Polished/Electropolished | No hardening | Repeated 134°C steam sterilization + cleaning agent + pitting |
The table below isstandard configuration.Different parts may switch from 304 to 316L or 2205 depending on operating conditions — describing the 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 quoting and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: Thin sheets are mainly formed parts (consider springback and deep-drawing cracking), thick plates are mainly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
FAQ
Which stainless steel is most commonly used for medical and hygiene applications?
Total pages: 5, most frequent are 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). The specific choice for a part still depends on medium and temperature; for example, a stainless steel cover should switch from 304 to 316L when in contact with salt water.
Which part is most prone to failure?
Failure description, typically "bone knife/axe": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; Recommended grade: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3mm. 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 plates; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part, check your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm