B12 · Medical & Hygiene
Stainless Steel Sheets for Medical & Hygiene: Choosing 304/316L and a 5-Part Selection List
In the medical and hygiene sector, we have broken down five parts that use stainless steel: typically 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses from 0.8–8 mm.
5 Parts and Material List
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone knife / Bone rongeur | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade thickness 3–1 mm | Matte / Bead-blasted | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt edge + Cracking + Contamination from boiling water |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade thickness 2–1 mm | Matte or polished | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Rotation speed + Contamination |
| Forceps / Bone forceps | 420b/440C | φ2–8 mm | Polished / Passivated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Thermal cracking + Rust |
| Tweezers / Sewing tweezers / Retaining instruments | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Matte or passivated | 38–45HRC; hardness difference between mating parts ≤ 4HRC | Elastic failure + Mating wear + Rust |
| Dressings / Instruments / Surgical trolleys / Bed frames | 304/316L | 8–3.0 mm | 2B / Polished / Electropolished | No hardening treatment | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + cleaning agents + rust spots |
Table belowStandard configuration.Different parts may be switched 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 sector are 304 (2), 316L (2) and 420 (1) — the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of relevant parts, which is useful for pricing and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheets are mainly formed parts (considering bending and cracking during deep drawing), thick sheets are mainly welded structures (considering heat input and sensitivity).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stainless steel is most used for medical and hygiene applications?
5 parts in total, most commonly 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). For a specific part it still depends on environment and temperature; for example, the top surface of stainless steel should be switched from 304 to 316L when in contact with salt water.
Which part wears out most easily?
Failure description, typically "knife/axe": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; Recommended grade: 420Mod/40Cr13, width 1–3 mm. For this type of application, it is recommended to define the 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 sheets, strength for thick sheets; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part — check your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm