B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Sheets for Medical & Hygiene: Choosing 304/316L and 5 Part Lists
In medical and hygiene applications, we have organized five categories using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, with thickness 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/lacquered | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + thermal cracking + corrosion |
| Forceps/surgical clamps/graspers | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Matte or passivated | 38–45HRC; hardness difference between two parts ≤ 4HRC | Loss of spring tension + pivot wear + corrosion |
| Cabinets/towel rails/surgical carts/bed frames | 304/316L | 0.8–3.0 mm | 2B/Polished/electropolished | Not hardened | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + cleaning agents + pitting corrosion |
In the table belowStandard configuration.Different parts can be switched from 304 to 316L or 2205 depending on operating conditions — explaining the conditions is simpler 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 cost estimation and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheets are mainly formed parts (considering springback in bending and cracking in deep drawing), thick sheets are mainly welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stainless steel is most commonly used for medical and hygiene purposes?
5 pages in total, most frequently 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). For a specific part, it still depends on the medium and temperature; for example, a stainless steel worktop should switch from 304 to 316L when in contact with salt water.
Which part is most prone to errors?
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 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 sheets; values may vary between equipment manufacturers for the same part — check your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm