In modern medicine, high requirements are placed not only on the effectiveness of treatment methods, but also on the quality and safety of the materials used. PZPS alloys meet current healthcare requirements, which is why they are widely used in various medical fields, from diagnostic equipment to implants.
Important properties of materials for medicine
Steels and alloys used in healthcare must be safe for patients and at the same time ensure the durability of medical devices. Here are some of the most important properties for such materials:
- Biocompatibility. Medical alloys must be safe for the human body. This means that there are no negative reactions, such as rejection or inflammation, when in contact with living tissues and body fluids. Modern medical materials should not only be inert, but also support the normal functioning of cells.
- Corrosion resistance. Medical devices are often in contact with various biological media that may contain acids, salts and other substances that can react with metals. The use of corrosion-resistant alloys increases the life of medical devices and implants, which is especially important when in constant contact with a humid environment.
- Strength and hardness. Medical devices must withstand significant mechanical loads, which is especially critical for implants. Important characteristics here are shear and tensile strength, as well as the fatigue strength of the material, which determines the resistance to multiple load cycles.
- Sterilization resistance. Medical instruments and implants are subjected to autoclaving, chemical, ultraviolet, radiation and other types of sterilization. The materials used in these products must maintain their mechanical and chemical properties even after repeated exposure to these methods.
- Absence of toxicity. It is important that steels and alloys do not release toxic substances when they come into contact with tissues or body fluids. Toxic materials may cause allergic reactions, irritation, or other more serious effects.
- Ease of processing. In order to produce medical instruments and prostheses of complex shapes, alloys must be easy to process. This includes the possibilities of welding, forging, stamping, machining and other types of processing.
- X-ray transparency. For some medical devices, the material's ability to transmit X-rays is important. This allows doctors to accurately analyze the patient's condition using X-ray studies without distorting the picture due to dense metal objects.
The choice of materials for medical use depends on specific requirements and operating conditions. For example, titanium alloys with increased strength and high biocompatibility are used for implants, and durable and corrosion-resistant stainless steels are used for surgical instruments.
The use of PZPS alloys in medicine
PZPS produces steels and alloys that are used in various fields of medicine. Let's consider the most popular ones.
Stainless steel 12X18H9 and 12X18H10T
Steel grades 12X18N9 et 12X18H10T are used in medicine due to their high corrosion resistance, strength and plasticity. These materials belong to the austenitic class, have a stable structure and constant mechanical properties even under prolonged exposure to high stresses and aggressive media.
Chemical composition:
- 12X18N9: about 0.1% carbon, 17-19% chromium, 8-10% nickel.
- 12X18H10T: similar composition, but with a higher content of nickel (9— 11%) and titanium (about 1%) to improve corrosion resistance.
Applications:
- Implants. 12X18H9 and 12X18H10T steels are used for the production of pins, plates and screws that are used in traumatology and orthopedics. Due to their high strength and biocompatibility, they ensure reliable fixation of bones and tissues.
- Medical equipment. Sturdy corrosion-resistant steels used for the manufacture of sterilizers, autoclaves and containers for storing and transporting biological materials. They are reliable, durable, easy to clean and sterilize.
- Laboratory glassware. Test tubes, Petri dishes, flasks and other products made of chemical-resistant steels ensure not only the reliability of laboratory tests, but also the possibility of repeated sterilization without loss of performance properties.
In addition to 12X18N9 and 12X18H10T steels, PZPS also produces corrosion-resistant steel 10X17N13M3T, which is often used for the manufacture of various medical devices.
40KHNM precision alloy
It is used in surgery and orthopedics, which require high strength and durability of materials. 40KHNM suitable for creating medical instruments and implants, as well as for connecting blood vessels.
Chemical composition:
- The basis is cobalt (39-41%). Chromium (19-21%), nickel (15-17%), iron (10-18%), molybdenum (6.4-7.4%) and manganese (1.8-2.2%) are also present in 40KHNM, which improves mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
Application:
- Staples for stitching vessels. In vascular surgery, brackets are made of 40KHNM alloy to connect the ends of blood vessels after they are damaged or cut. These brackets must be flexible, durable, and biocompatible to ensure a secure connection and prevent bleeding.
- Implants for fractures. Plates, screws and rods made of 40KHNM alloy are used to fix bones in the correct position. Due to its resistance to corrosion and high strength, 40KHNM produces durable and reliable implants that support the healing process.
- Surgical instruments. Due to its strength and resistance to corrosion, 40KHNM alloy is widely used in the manufacture of clips, tweezers and other tools for precision surgical operations.
At PZPS, you can also order precision alloys for elastic elements of grades 36NHTYU et 17HNGT with high strength characteristics, corrosion and relaxation properties.
Soft magnetic and hard magnetic alloys
Magnetic alloys used in medical equipment that requires the creation of magnetic fields or the use of magnetic properties for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Key examples:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These devices use powerful magnets made from magnetic-hard alloys that create a strong magnetic field necessary to obtain accurate images of internal organs.
- Pacemakers. These devices are implanted into the patient's body to stabilize the heart rate. They contain miniature magnets that ensure the reliable operation of pacemakers.
- Magnetotherapy devices. Magnetic fields are used in therapy for recovery from injuries and the treatment of inflammation. For this purpose, special magnetic coils made from soft magnetic materials.
- Magnetic brain stimulation devices. They are used in neurophysiology to study brain functions and develop methods for the treatment of neurological diseases. They create magnetic fields that affect neurons and contain components made of soft magnetic materials.
- Sensors and sensors. Soft magnetic alloys are used to create sensitive elements that react to changes in the magnetic field. Such sensors are used to monitor physiological parameters, such as pressure or temperature.
You can buy cold-rolled strip at PZPS 27KH according to GOST 10160-75 and other soft magnetic alloys: 49K2FA-VI, 50N, 50NP, 79NM, 80NM, 81NMA. All materials undergo multi-stage quality control, meet international standards and are certified for medical use. We also produce products on request, taking into account the specific requirements of customers, whether they are specific mechanical characteristics or unique dimensions. PZPS specialists are constantly are working to improve existing materials and the development of new solutions, which allows us maintain market leadership in precision alloys.
