B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Sheets for Medical & Hygiene: Choosing 304/316L and 5 Component Lists
In medical and hygiene applications, we have organized five categories of stainless steel usage: commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8–8 mm.
5 Components 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-peened | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunted edge + Cracks + Boiling water corrosion |
| 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/Coated | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Thermal cracking + Corrosion |
| Forceps/Surgical Forceps/Graspers | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | Matte or Passivated | 38–45HRC; Hardness difference between two parts ≤ 4HRC | Loss of spring tension + Hinge wear + Corrosion |
| Cabinets/Dish Towels/Surgical Carts/Bed Frames | 304/316L | 0.8–3.0 mm | 2B/Polished/Electropolished | Not hardened | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + Detergent + Pitting |
Table belowStandard configuration.Different parts can switch from 304 to 316L or 2205 depending on operating conditions — explaining the conditions makes selection 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 parts involved, which is useful for quoting and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheets are primarily formed parts (considering springback and cracking during deep drawing), thick plates are primarily welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
FAQ
Which stainless steel is most used for medical and hygiene applications?
5 pages in total, most commonly 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). For a specific part, it still depends on the medium and temperature — for example, a stainless steel countertop should switch from 304 to 316L when in contact with salt water.
Which part is most prone to errors?
Failure description, typically "bone knife/axe": 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 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 plates; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part — refer to your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm