As there are so many alloys to choose from for wire in the medical industry it can often be overwhelming choosing the one best suited to your applications. What makes the process even more stressful is that the wrong material for medical wire can damage your medical applications or affect wire performance. As it is so important to choose the correct wire material for your medical applications, we want to use today’s blog to provide some differences between alloys. 302, 304V, and 3016LVM alloys are all stainless steel but they each have unique characteristics. Continue reading for a breakdown of these three alloys.
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 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
Grade 304V 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. Like 302, 304V is often found in stylets, catheters, and guidewires. A few key characteristics of SS 304V alloy include:
- Excellent formability
- Can be welded easily which gives it an additional advantage over other types of material
- Ideal for extrusions due to having minimal contaminants in the material
- Remarkably high strength properties
For cutting, grinding, and straightening applications where a high temperature is involved, Loos & Company can also supply a low carbon 304V alloy upon request.
Grade 316LVM is used in a variety of applications, including suture wire, orthopaedic cable, catheters, and stylets because it offers an effective level of strength. Other key properties of the alloy include:
- Durability and longevity make it a common material used in permanent implants
- Vacuum melted for quality control, allowing it to achieve the high level of cleanliness required by the medical industry
- Corrosion resistance capabilities
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.
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 full range of materials and available alloys, visit the alloy specifications page 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.