Loosco Medical Technologies Blog

Menu

Our Products

The Loos and Company Medical Technologies Division wire and stranded products represent the latest in design and production technology for products used in advance surgical procedures. We provide the best value in medical wire and cable products through high quality and prompt delivery with competitive pricing. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about our products and capabilities, visit our product specific pages below or contact us.


Characteristics of Grade 302, 304, and 316 Stainless Steel Alloys

Loos and Company Medical Wire Products

Choosing the wrong material for medical wire can result in poor wire performance and damage to your medical applications. To guarantee you get the most out of medical wire, it is important to carefully consider the wire material you purchase. A few common alloys include SS 302, SS 304, and SS 316. Continue reading below to get an overview of these three common alloys and their characteristics.  

SS 302:

Grade 302 is a chrome-nickel stainless and heat-resisting steel. SS 302 is a very commonly used alloy in many industries, including medical applications, making it a popular choice for those within the medical industry. A few key characteristics of the SS 302 stainless steel alloy include:

  • Great toughness and strength
  • Ductile
  • Austenitic
  • Non-magnetic properties
  • Good corrosion resistance
  • Cold working will dramatically increase its hardness
  • Operates best in lower temperatures

SS 304:

Grade 304 is a stainless steel alloy that is classified as a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy. Alongside 302, 304 is one of the most common stainless-steel alloys. Grade 304 is very similar to SS 302, but there are a few differences. The features of SS 304 include:

  • Good toughness and strength
  • More ductile than SS 302
  • Austenitic
  • Non-magnetic Properties
  • High corrosion resistance
  • Handles higher operating temperatures than 302 Grade

SS 316:

Grade 316 is a stainless steel alloy that is a slightly more expensive option than 302 and 304 grades. SS 316 is made up of chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. Some other features of SS 316 include:

  • Good toughness and strength
  • Superior corrosion resistance
  • Austenitic
  • Non-magnetic Properties
  • High oxidation resistance
  • Operates best in lower temperatures

Medical wire alloys

Knowing the differences between these three types of stainless steel alloys will ensure you choose the right material for your next medical application. If you are looking for a place to buy medical wire and cable, check out Loos and Company Medical Technologies Division! We manufacture various types of wire rope that are crucial to the success of medical products. To browse our medical wire options, visit our product page here. Alternatively, if you have any questions, our team is happy to help! Reach out to us by email at sales@loosco.com or by phone at (860) 928-7981.