In previous blogs from Ulbrinox, we have mentioned that stainless steel is a type of steel manufactured by adding chromium to a metal alloy. The purpose of mixing in chromium is to prevent the iron from rusting. Stainless steel is also found in different grades depending on its composition.
Therefore, surgical steel is a grade of stainless steel, which includes steel used for biomedical applications.
The most commonly used grades for this purpose are stainless steel 304 and stainless steel 316, also known as surgical stainless steel.
The key difference between these two grades of steel is that 316 contains molybdenum, in addition to all the components of the iron, carbon, chromium, and nickel alloy, and all the elements described in the previous section. Molybdenum dramatically improves corrosion resistance, especially in saltier environments or those exposed to chloride.
Stainless steel 316 or surgical stainless steel
It is made up of alloy elements such as chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, which offer unique qualities to material scientists and surgeons.
Its alloy is:
- Carbon: 0.08 max
- Manganese: 2 max
- Silicon: 0.75 max
- Phosphorus: 0.04 max
- Sulfur: 0.03 max
- Chromium: 16-18 max
- Nickel: 10-14 max
- Molybdenum: 2-3 max
The stainless steel 316 contains a substantial amount of molybdenum, which ranges between 2 and 3%, and this makes it even more corrosion-resistant than stainless steel 304, and therefore ideal for extreme applications, and this can affect the price of the material.
The advantages of its composition are:
- Increases the material's resistance to scratches and corrosion. Perfect for withstanding medical cleaning and sterilization.
- Provides an extremely smooth and polishable surface, details required for precision machining.
- It is an extremely hygienic metal
- Provides hardness after being formed and is ideal for sharp edges like scalpels.
Surgical uses of stainless steel 316
Usually, stainless steel is used for temporary implants and titanium for permanent and more expensive implants. It is also used in countless surgical attachments and utensils such as:
- Precision tubes
- Orthopedic implants
- Artificial heart valves
- Bone fixation
- Containers for chemicals and hazardous waste
- Wires
- Screws
- Prosthetics
- Plates
- Medical needles
- Medical syringes
- Sensor probes
- Catheters
- Basic operating room utensils
- Wire coils
- Specialized guide wires
Check out our stainless steel products or get a quote on this website. We guarantee the best quality in metals!
