Selecting the proper material for a medical wire is essential to ensuring your products performs properly in the field. With thirteen different alloys available through our Medical Technologies Division, we can work with you to determine the best material to meet your specific application needs. To get started, take a moment to read about three of our most commonly used stainless steel alloys: 302, 304V, and 316LVM.   

302 stainless steel alloy is one of the most commonly used alloys in our Medical Technologies Division. This chrome-nickel metal is austenitic, strong, and ductile which means it can be drawn to very small diameters without becoming brittle. In fact, 302 stainless steel becomes harder the more it is cold-worked. 302 stainless steel is used in a wide range of medical equipment ranging from needles and guidewires, to springs and stylets which makes it a staple in the medical industry.

Like 302 stainless steel, our 304V alloy is renowned for its superior strength. This particular alloy is electric-arc melted and then vacuum-arc remelted, creating an extremely pure metal with minimal contaminants. In addition to exhibiting excellent formability, 304V can be welded easily which gives it an additional advantage over other types of material. For cutting, grinding, and straightening applications where a high temperature is involved, Loos & Company can also supply a low carbon 304V alloy upon request. Like 302, 304V is often found in stylets, catheters, and guidewires.

Our 316LVM stainless steel alloy is used in a variety of applications, including suture wire, orthopaedic cable, catheters, and stylets because it has a offers an effective balance of strength and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, its durability and longevity make it a common material used in permanent implants. It is vacuum melted for quality control, allowing it to achieve the high level of cleanliness required by the medical industry.

In general, stainless steel develops a highly polished surface appearance when it is drawn to finer diameters. This gives the material its bright and shiny finish. Conversely, material over .040” may have a rougher surface with a duller, matte finish due to the type of dies used in the drawing process. For more information about custom finishes, contact us today to discuss the different options available for your application.

To learn about our full range of materials and available alloys, visit the alloy specifications page on our website, or browse our line of stainless wire products at https://www.looscomedtech.com/products/wire-products/.