Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Amp16304p036 PDF
Amp16304p036 PDF
S
tainless steel alloys such as enhanced- instrument. If wear or galling develops in service,
strength UNS S30400 (AISI Type 304) not only will the instrument stop performing
have been the material of choice for the properly, but also it may introduce metallic de-
tubular components in dental and sur- bris into the wound.
gical instruments. Although this alloy has worked Edge retention or wear resistance is determined
well for the first generation of instruments de- by both hardness and the hardening method.
signed for confined spaces, it has some drawbacks Generally, as the hardness of a metal increases,
that limit its usefulness for instruments in today’s so do the edge retention, wear resistance, and
more aggressive surgical procedures. These draw- galling resistance.
backs include loss of strength during welding, However, the method by which the hardness
poor edge retention, poor wear resistance, and is developed is also critical. Table 3 shows the re-
poor galling resistance. lationship between relative edge retention, wear
Stainless steel alloy development has yielded resistance, and galling resistance; how these prop-
a number of stainless steels with properties that erties are achieved; and a ranking of selected al-
make them worthy candidates for medical instru- loys. The edge retention of a martensitic stainless
ment tubing. Each of these alloys exhibits en- is better than that of a precipitation-hardening
hanced properties over those provided by UNS stainless or an austenitic stainless at the same
S30400. This article reviews beneficial material hardness because of the wear resistance of the
properties and the alloys that offer them. hard carbides in the martensitic stainless.