Surgical stainless steel#Cutlery grade stainless

SAE 316 and SAE 316L stainless steel, also referred to as marine grade stainless, is a chromium, nickel, molybdenum alloy of steel that exhibits relatively good strength and corrosion resistance. 316L is the low carbon version of 316 stainless steel.{{cite web |title=Differences between 316 and 316L Stainless Steel |url=http://www.pennstainless.com/blog/2013/06/differences-between-316-and-316l-stainless-steel/ |website=Penn Stainless |access-date=8 May 2019}}

316L in particular is biocompatible when produced to ASTM F138 / F139.{{cite web |title=BioDur® 316LS Stainless |url=https://www.cartech.com/en/product-solutions/cartech-biodur-316ls-stainless/ |website=Carpenter |access-date=8 May 2019}} It is a common choice for biomedical implants, as well as body piercings and body modification implants.{{cite web |url=https://safepiercing.org/jewelry_standards.php |title=Jewelry Standards |publisher=Association of Professional Piercers}} Immune system reaction to nickel is a potential complication of stainless steel usage within the human body.{{cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=P. |last2=Schuh |first2=A. |last3=Ring |first3=J. |last4=Thomsen |first4=M. |title=Orthopädisch-chirurgische Implantate und Allergien |trans-title=Orthopedic surgical implants and allergies |language=German |journal=Der Orthopäde |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=75–88 |year=2007 |pmid=18210082 |doi=10.1007/s00132-007-1183-3|s2cid=7008822 }}{{cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=P. |last2=Thomsen |first2=M. |title=Implantatallergien |trans-title=Implant allergies |language=German |journal=Der Hautarzt |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=255–262; quiz 263–264 |year=2010 |pmid=20204719 |doi=10.1007/s00105-009-1907-x}} There are nickel-free nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel alloys available which address this concern.{{cite web |title=Properties of an Essentially Nickel-Free Stainless Alloy for Medical Implants |url=https://www.cartech.com/en/alloy-techzone/technical-information/technical-articles/properties-of-an-essentially-nickel-free-stainless-alloy-for-medical-implants |website=Carpenter |access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190508110522/https://www.cartech.com/en/alloy-techzone/technical-information/technical-articles/properties-of-an-essentially-nickel-free-stainless-alloy-for-medical-implants|url-status=dead}}

316 surgical steel is also used in the manufacture and handling of food and pharmaceutical products where it is often required in order to minimize metallic contamination.

The corrosion resistance properties of all stainless steels is greatly enhanced by the passivation process. ASTM A967{{cite web |title=Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts |url=https://www.astm.org/Standards/A967.htm |publisher=ASTM |access-date=8 May 2019}} details this process.

SAE 440 and SAE 420 stainless steels, known also by the name "Cutlery Stainless Steel", are high carbon steels alloyed with chromium. They have very good corrosion resistance compared to other cutlery steels, but their corrosion resistance is inferior to 316 stainless. Surgical cutting instruments are often made from 440 or 420 stainless due to its high hardness coupled with acceptable corrosion resistance. This type of stainless steel may be slightly magnetic.

General surgical tools are made from other chromium-bearing stainless steels, such as 17-4. ASTM F899 contains a list of commonly used metals for surgical instruments.{{cite web |title=ASTM F899 - Standard Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgical Instruments |url=https://www.astm.org/Standards/F899.htm |publisher=ASTM |access-date=8 May 2019}}

• Instruments used in general surgery
• SAE International
• ASTM International

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Category:Biomaterials

Category:Stainless steel

Category:Surgical instruments