KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURGICAL STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL
It’s common to wonder about the distinctions between different types of steel. It’s not unusual around here, at least. Understanding the small, distinctive differences between different steel varieties is big business in our industry. After all, selecting the right material for a specific application is a critical phase in any project. In the case of metal materials, the features of various materials will show up when they are cut, bent, punch-pressed, and otherwise processed?
In today’s article, we’ll compare surgical steel to stainless steel in detail. If you’ve ever wondered what makes these steels distinct — and identical — you’ve come to the right place.
WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
Stainless steel is a steel alloy made up mostly of iron and approximately 10% chromium. Other metals such as nickel, titanium, and copper may be found in trace quantities. Carbon is also a popular non-metal component in stainless steel.
The chromium content in stainless steel is primarily responsible for increasing the alloy’s corrosion resistance — it stops the iron from oxidizing. There is no way for rust to form if there is no oxidation.
Stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant of the four major categories of steel (stainless, carbon, tool, and alloy). Stainless steel, though, is not fully corrosion resistant and stainless steel can corrode under such conditions, such as repeated exposure to extremely concentrated saltwater.
WHAT IS SURGICAL STEEL?
Surgical steel is a stainless steel alloy that is utilized in biomedical applications. Surgical steel, also known as surgical stainless steel, has no formal definition. Stainless steel varieties with the highest levels of corrosion resistance, however, are those intended for biomedical application. Austenitic 316 stainless and martensitic 440 and stainless steel 409m plates are two widely used surgical steel. Consider surgical steel to be the most corrosion-resistant kind of stainless steel.
SURGICAL STEEL VS. STAINLESS STEEL
KEY DIFFERENCES
Although surgical steel is a form of stainless steel, not all stainless steels are. Surgical steels are those with the highest corrosion resistance and are used in biomedical applications. Stainless steel is usually the most costly steel type as opposed to other steel grades. Surgical steel is the most costly kind of stainless steel.
USES
Stainless steels vary from “general use” steels such as carbon steel and tool steel due to material costs. Stainless steel is most commonly found in cooking applications. Stainless steel cutlery, cookware, appliances, and kitchen fixtures are very common and sought after. Stainless steel 301lnplates is also used in the automobile and aerospace industry, as well as in some manufacturing applications.
Surgical steel is only used in biomedical applications. Surgical steel is used to make surgical instruments such as forceps, retractors, and needle holders, but that’s not it. Surgical steel has been used for a long time in orthopedic and dental implant applications.
SELECTING THE RIGHT STEEL FOR YOUR APPLICATION
As mentioned at the outset of this article, knowing the distinctions between various metal types is critical to choosing the right material for your upcoming project.
