Metals and alloys for medical applications
We are involved in the development of medical technology and we deliver high quality materials required of this industry. The product categories are rod and bar, wire, strip and sheets. The materials used for implants and medical instruments are martensitic and austenitic steels, cobalt based alloys and titanium and titanium alloys. Lamineries MATTHEY, through their large stock and proven logistics, is able to supply most medical grade alloys within very short lead-times for small and medium volumes.
Stainless Steels
Austenitic Stainless Steels
Grades for implants:
- MAC4441 (X2CrNiMo18.14.3, DIN 1.4441, ISO 5832-1, ~AISI 316LVM, ASTM F138-F139, UNS S31673) also named M25W.
- MAC4472 (X4CrNiMnMoN21.9.4.21.10.3, DIN 1.4472, ISO 5832-9, ASTM F1586, UNS S31675) also named M30NW.
- MACNIFREE (X8MnCrMoN23.21.1, ASTM F2229, UNS S29108) is an austenitic stainless steel with very low Nickel content, specially designed for allergy sensitive applications.
Grade for surgical instruments:
- MAC4404 (X2CrNiMo17.12.2, DIN 1.4404, ~AISI 316L), also called « X18MBC », is a medical grade of the well-known 316L. The alloy has an outstanding corrosion resistance and can be cold work hardened, but its mechanical properties are rather low.
Martensitic stainless steels
Grades for surgical instruments:
- MAC4028 (X30Cr13, DIN 1.4028, AISI 420B) also called « X13 », has good mechanical properties but a low corrosion resistance. This low-cost alloy is used for less demanding applications.
- MAC4057 (X17CrNi16.2, DIN 1.4057, AISI 431) also called « APX », has a much better corrosion resistance than MAC4028 with slightly lower mechanical properties. It also has the advantage to be easily thermally hardened at only 200°C to reach up to 47HRC.
- MAC4418 (X4CrNiMo16.5.1, DIN 1.4418) also called « APX4 », has the best corrosion resistance of this category of alloys, close to the one of a MAC4404, with excellent mechanical properties but a rather low hardness.
- MAC4123 (X40CrMoVN16.2, DIN 1.4123, AISI 420MOD) also called « X15TN », has an excellent corrosion resistance, a very high hardness (58 HRC) and outstanding cutting properties. However, it displays some fragility due to its high hardness.
Precipitation-hardening stainless steels
Grades for surgical instruments:
- MAC4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16.4, DIN 1.4542, AISI 630) also called « DU3 » or « 17.4 PH ».
- MAC4543 (X2CrNiTiNb12.9, DIN 1.4543 AISI XM-16), also known as MX455 is equivalent to Custom 455.
While both alloys have similar corrosion resistance, MAC4543 has better mechanical properties and higher hardness.
Cobalt based Superalloys
Grades for implants:
- MAC64BC (CoCr28Mo, ISO 5832-12, ASTM F799, ASTM F1537 Alloy 1, UNS R31537) also named « M64BC » or « Alloy 21 low carbon », has a excellent corrosion resistance and high mechanical characteristics.
- MAC25SH (CoCr20W15Ni, DIN 2.4964, ISO 5832-5, ASTM F90, UNS R30605) also called « XSH » or « Alliage 25 » has high radiological opacity.
Titanium
Grades for implants:
- Ti Gr2 (Ti2, T40, ~DIN 3.7035, ISO 5832-2, ASTM F67, UNS R50400.
- Ti Gr5 ELI (TiAl6V4 ELI, TA6V ELI, ~DIN 3.7165, ISO 5832-3, ASTM F136, UNS R56401)
Tantalum
Grade for implants:
- MACTAN52 (UNS R05200) is mainly used as marking material to locate implants under radiography, thanks to its outstanding X-Ray opacity. It is usually delivered in the form of small diameter wire.
Tantalum delivered by les Lamineries MATTHEY is ethically responsible, as it is not sourced from regions where its trade finances local armed conflicts.
Medical grade stainless steels supplied by Lamineries MATTHEY are produced to chemical composition specifications usually tighter than the norms would require. They have therefore superior regularity on chemical compositions and display outstandingly low levels of inclusions, especially for sulphur.
Custom 455 is a registered trademark of Carpenter Inc.
M25W, M30NW, M64BC, XSH, X18MBC, X13, APX, APX4, X15TN, DU3 et MX455 are registered trademark of Aubert & Duval (A&D).
Information provided on this website is believed to be accurate but for indicative purposes only. Only material certificates shall be seen as providing accurate and reliable data.
