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Surgical Steel

We are using 420 grade stainless steel for surgical tools. But this material will be fail after 2-3 three operation. Especially allen screwdrivers. I have found 1.4034 grade steel but I am not sure what to use...

ERHAN AKINCI
- Izmir, Turkey

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Erhan, how are the tools failing? If they are not keeping an edge, then you want to be certain you are hardening and tempering them properly, to about 50 Rockwell C. If they are snapping, you want to be sure they have been properly tempered. If the heat treating is acceptable, then you might consider another material. The 1.4034 has higher carbon than 420, so should be slightly harder when heat treated, but they are pretty close materials. If you need higher strength consider 440A, B or even C (a bearing grade stainless steel).

If your problem is too much corrosion, then you want to use a higher chromium steel, usually marketed as a more corrosion resistant bearing grade.

Good luck!
Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York