B12 · Medical & Healthcare
Stainless Steel Sheets for Medical and Hygiene: 304/316L Selection and 5 Part Lists
In medical and hygiene applications, we have organized five parts that use stainless steel: commonly 304 / 316L / 420, with thickness ranging 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 | 3–1mm Blade Thickness | No Brightness/Shot Peened | 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV | Blunt Edge+Cracking+Boiling Water Corrosion |
| Scissors | 20Cr13/420 | 2–1mm Blade Thickness | No Brightness or Bright | 20Cr13 40–48HRC; 420 48–56HRC | Axle Looseness+Corrosion |
| Drills/Bone Drills | 420b/440C | φ2–8mm | Polished/Lacquered | 420b 48–56HRC; 440C 58–62HRC | Wear+Thermal Crack+Corrosion |
| Forceps/Suture Forceps/Grippers | 12Cr13/20Cr13/05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb/304/316L | 1–3mm | No Brightness or Neutralized | 38–45HRC; Two-piece Hardness Difference ≤ 4HRC | Failure of elasticity + wear of hinge + corrosion |
| Cupboards/dishtowels/surgical carts/bed frames | 304/316L | 0.8–3.0mm | 2B/Polishing/electropolishing | Not quench-hardened | Repeated steam sterilization at 134°C + cleaning agent + pitting |
Table below isStandard configuration.Different parts may switch from 304 to 316L or 2205 based on usage conditions — explaining the conditions makes it easier than specifying grades.
Material Selection Tips
- Most common grades in this industry are 304 (2), 316L (2), and 420 (1) — numbers in parentheses indicate the number of parts involved, useful for quoting and material ordering.
- Thickness range 0.8–8 mm: Thin plates are primarily formed parts (considering bend back and deep drawing cracking), thick plates are primarily welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stainless steel is used most for medical and hygiene?
Total pages: 5, the most frequent is 304 (2), 316L (2), 420 (1). Specific to a part still depends on the medium and temperature, e.g., a stainless countertop should switch from 304 to 316L when in contact with saltwater.
Which part is the easiest to go wrong?
Failure description, typically "bone knife/hatchet": 420Mod 50–58HRC; 40Cr13 470–660HV; Recommended grade: 420Mod/40Cr13, blade width 1–3mm. For this type of application, it is recommended to specify the medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method in the design phase.
What thickness should I choose?
Thickness range in the list is 0.8–8 mm.
Formability and surface for thin plates, strength for thick plates; values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same part, review your drawing or conditions.
Applications5
Thickness0.8–8mm