B12 · Medical & Health
Stainless Steel Sheet for Medical & Hygiene: Choosing 304/316L and a 5-Part Component List
In medical and hygiene applications, we have defined five stainless steel parts: commonly used 304 / 316L / 420, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8–8 mm
5 Parts and Material List
| Component / Part | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Typical Failure Mode | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Knife / Bone Scraper | 420Mod/40Cr13 | Blade thickness 3–1 mm | No gloss / Sandblasted | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt edge + Cracking + Corrosion from boiling water |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | Blade thickness 2–1 mm | No gloss or Glossy | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Loose pivot + Corrosion |
| Drill / Bone Drill | 420b/440C | φ2–8 mm | Polished / Mirror polished | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear + Heat cracks + Corrosion |
| Forceps / Suture Forceps / Grasping Forceps | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3 mm | No gloss or Passivated | 38–45HRC; hardness difference between the two halves ≤ 4HRC | Loss of spring function + Hinge wear + Corrosion |
| Cabinet / Instrument Tray / Surgical Cart / Bed Frame | 304/316L | 8–3.0 mm | 2B / Polished / Electropolished | Not hardened | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + Cleaning agents + Pitting corrosion |
The table below showsStandard ConfigurationComponents can be upgraded from 304 to 316L or 2205 depending on operating conditions — describing your conditions is easier than specifying a 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 parts involved, which is useful for quoting and material ordering
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: thin sheets are mostly formed parts (consider springback and cracking from deep drawing); thick sheets are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization)
FAQ
Which stainless steel is most commonly used for medical and hygiene applications?
Total of 5 parts; the most common are 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). Specifying individual parts still depends on medium and temperature — for example, stainless steel counters should be upgraded from 304 to 316L when exposed to salt water
Which parts are most prone to failure?
Failure description is typically "bone knife / bone axe": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; recommended grades: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3 mm. For this type of application, we recommend specifying 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 finish for thin sheets; strength for thick sheets. Values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part — please check your drawing or conditions
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm