B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Sheet for Medical & Hygienic Applications: 304/316L Selection and 5 Component List
In the medical and hygienic sector, we have compiled five components that use stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, thickness range 0.8–8 mm.
5 Components and Material List
| Component / Part | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Failure Mode | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone knife / Bone scraper | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade thickness 3–1 mm | Unpolished/Shot peened | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt edge + cracking + boiling water corrosion |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade thickness 2–1 mm | Unpolished or polished | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Loose pivot + corrosion |
| Drill / Bone drill | 420b/440C | φ2–8 mm | Polished/Coated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + thermal cracking + corrosion |
| Forceps / Suture forceps / Graspers | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Unpolished or passivated | 38–45HRC; hardness difference between two pieces ≤ 4HRC | Loss of elasticity + hinge wear + corrosion |
| Cabinet / Towel rail / Surgical cart / Bed frame | 304/316L | 8–3.0 mm | 2B/Polished/Electropolished | Not hardened by quenching | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + detergents + pitting |
The table below showsstandard configurations.Depending on operating conditions, components can be switched from 304 to 316L or 2205 — describing the conditions is easier than specifying the grade.
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 related components, useful for quotations and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheet is mainly for formed parts (consider bend-back and deep-drawing cracks), while thick plate is mainly for welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most commonly used stainless steel in the medical and hygienic sector?
A total of 5 pages; the most frequent are 304 (2), 316L (2), and 420 (1). The specific component still depends on the medium and temperature — for example, stainless steel countertops need to be switched from 304 to 316L when in contact with brine.
Which component is most prone to problems?
Failure description, typically "bone knife / hand axe": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; recommended grades: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3 mm. For these types of applications, it is advisable to specify 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.
Thin sheet is for formability and surface, thick plate is for strength; for the same component, values may vary by equipment manufacturer, so please review drawings or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm