Our ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel wire is a powerhouse for cardiovascular stent manufacturing, built to deliver the precision and reliability that saves lives. This isn’t just any wire—it’s a vacuum-melted, medical-grade alloy engineered for exceptional purity and performance in the body’s toughest conditions. With its top-tier corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, our 316LVM wire is perfect for crafting coronary stents, guidewires, and vascular meshes that keep blood flowing smoothly. We’ve fine-tuned our production to meet ASTM F138 standards, ensuring every spool supports devices that perform flawlessly in critical procedures.
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The strength of our 316LVM stainless steel wire lies in its carefully crafted composition. With 17-19% chromium, 13-15% nickel, and 2.25-3.5% molybdenum, plus carbon under 0.03%, it’s designed to resist corrosion while staying flexible. Its tensile strength of 490-690 MPa and elongation of 40-50% make it ideal for stents that expand and contract with blood vessels. The vacuum-melting process minimizes inclusions, ensuring a cleaner material that avoids defects. We draw our wires with precision, achieving diameters as fine as 0.05mm, perfect for the intricate needs of vascular stents.
Biocompatibility is a must for cardiovascular implants, and our 316LVM wire excels. The high chromium and molybdenum content forms a robust passive oxide layer that stands up to the corrosive nature of blood and saline. This layer self-heals quickly if scratched, keeping stents stable for decades—often 20 years or more. Studies show nickel release is minimal, below 0.5 µg/cm²/week, reducing risks of inflammation or allergies, even in sensitive patients. Our electropolishing and passivation treatments create a smooth surface, cutting bacterial adhesion by up to 30%, per clinical data, which lowers infection risks in vascular surgeries.
Comparison of Medical Stainless Steel Grades, Materials, and Applications
Grade | Composition | Key Properties | Corrosion Resistance | Biocompatibility | Applications | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316L | Fe (60-70%), Cr (16-18%), Ni (10-14%), Mo (2-3%), C (<0.03%) | Tensile: 485-620 MPa, Yield: 170-290 MPa, Elongation: 40-50%, Hardness: 95 HRB | Excellent (passive oxide layer, resists pitting) | High, minimal ion release, rare Ni sensitivity | Bone plates, screws, stents, hip stems, dental implants | Cost-effective, machinable, fatigue-resistant | Possible Ni sensitivity, heavier than Ti |
304L | Fe (65-74%), Cr (18-20%), Ni (8-10.5%), C (<0.03%) | Tensile: 485-550 MPa, Yield: 170-240 MPa, Elongation: 40-55%, Hardness: 92 HRB | Good, less resistant to pitting than 316L | Moderate, higher Ni release risk | Temporary implants, surgical tools, guidewires | Affordable, easy to form, widely available | Limited for long-term implants due to corrosion |
17-4 PH | Fe (70-78%), Cr (15-17.5%), Ni (3-5%), Cu (3-5%), C (<0.07%) | Tensile: 930-1100 MPa, Yield: 725-860 MPa, Hardness: 30-44 HRC | Very good, but less than 316L in saline | Good, but less biocompatible than 316L | Load-bearing implants, surgical instruments | High strength, heat-treatable, durable | Complex processing, less corrosion-resistant |
420 | Fe (80-90%), Cr (12-14%), C (0.15-0.4%) | Tensile: 700-950 MPa, Yield: 340-450 MPa, Hardness: 45-50 HRC | Moderate, prone to pitting in body fluids | Moderate, not ideal for long-term implants | Cutting tools, temporary pins, dental drills | High hardness, wear-resistant, sharpenable | Poor corrosion resistance for permanent use |
440C | Fe (78-85%), Cr (16-18%), C (0.95-1.2%) | Tensile: 760-1000 MPa, Yield: 450-600 MPa, Hardness: 56-60 HRC | Moderate, better than 420 but less than 316L | Limited, high carbon affects biocompatibility | Surgical blades, high-wear tools | Extremely hard, excellent edge retention | Not suitable for long-term implants |
F138 (316LVM) | Fe (60-70%), Cr (17-19%), Ni (13-15%), Mo (2.25-3.5%), C (<0.03%) | Tensile: 490-690 MPa, Yield: 190-300 MPa, Elongation: 40-50%, Hardness: 95 HRB | Superior, optimized for medical use | Excellent, lowest ion release, vacuum-melted | Orthopedic implants, cardiovascular stents | Enhanced purity, top biocompatibility | Higher cost than standard 316L |
303 | Fe (65-75%), Cr (17-19%), Ni (8-10%), S (0.15-0.35%) | Tensile: 500-620 MPa, Yield: 240-290 MPa, Elongation: 35-50%, Hardness: 90 HRB | Moderate, sulfur reduces corrosion resistance | Moderate, not ideal for permanent implants | Machined components, non-implant devices | Excellent machinability, cost-effective | Not suitable for long-term implants |
Nitronic 60 | Fe (60-70%), Cr (16-18%), Ni (8-9%), Mn (7-9%), N (0.08-0.18%) | Tensile: 620-793 MPa, Yield: 345-414 MPa, Hardness: 95-100 HRB | Very good, resists galling and wear | Good, but less studied for implants | Wear-resistant implants, joint components | High wear resistance, galling resistance | Limited medical use, higher cost |
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The cardiovascular stent market is thriving, projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, fueled by rising heart disease rates and advances in minimally invasive techniques. Our 316LVM stainless steel wire is a key player, offering a cost-effective, high-performance solution for stent production. Industry trends are leaning toward drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable coatings, and our wire provides a reliable base for these innovations. Sustainability is a big focus too—our wire is 100% recyclable, reducing waste and aligning with healthcare’s push for greener manufacturing practices.
Challenges in the industry include corrosion risks, with 5-7% of stent failures tied to pitting or stress corrosion in blood vessels. We’re addressing this with research into advanced coatings, like heparin or polymer layers, that improve hemocompatibility and reduce thrombosis risks by 15%, based on recent studies. Regulatory standards, like FDA and ISO 13485, demand rigorous testing for biocompatibility and fatigue resistance. Our wire exceeds these, with every batch undergoing ultrasonic testing, chemical analysis, and ASTM F138 compliance checks to ensure zero defects. Nickel allergies affect 10-15% of patients, and while our 316LVM contains nickel, its vacuum-melted purity minimizes release, ensuring safety for most.
Applications for our 316LVM stainless steel wire are critical in cardiovascular stent manufacturing. It’s the go-to for coronary stents, restoring blood flow in heart arteries with unmatched reliability. Peripheral stents for leg or arm vessels benefit from its flexibility and strength, navigating complex vascular paths. Guidewires made from our wire offer precise steering during angioplasty, with corrosion resistance ensuring durability in wet environments. We’re also seeing use in stent-grafts for aortic repairs, where our wire provides structural support. Veterinary cardiology is growing, with our wire crafting stents for animal vascular procedures, showing its versatility across species.
Comparing ourselves to the market, our 316LVM stainless steel wire stands out for its quality and customization. We source the purest raw materials, using vacuum-melting to reduce inclusions by up to 300% compared to standard alloys. Our drawing and annealing processes optimize grain structure, boosting fatigue life for stents under constant pulsation. Unlike generic suppliers, we hit tolerances as tight as ±0.001 inches, perfect for micro-stent components. Every spool is tested for hardness, tensile strength, and ASTM F138 compliance, guaranteeing reliability in every device.
Customization is where we really shine. Need a wire with a specific diameter for a micro-stent or a super-smooth finish for a guidewire? We deliver tailored solutions in days, keeping your production on track. Our surface treatments, like electropolishing and passivation, enhance biocompatibility and reduce thrombosis risks by up to 20%. Cost-wise, our 316LVM wire offers premium performance at a lower price than titanium or cobalt-chrome, making advanced stents accessible to more hospitals. Our material experts provide hands-on support, helping you integrate our wire into complex designs, saving you time and R&D costs.
Comparison Parameters Table
| Parameter | ASTM F138 316LVM Stainless Steel | 316L Stainless Steel | Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) | Cobalt-Chrome (Co-Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.9-8.0 | 7.9-8.0 | 4.4-4.5 | 8.3-9.2 |
| Elastic Modulus (GPa) | 193 | 193 | 110-114 | 210-240 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 190-300 | 170-290 | 800-900 | 450-1000 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 490-690 | 485-620 | 900-1000 | 900-1200 |
| Hardness (HRB) | ~95 | ~95 | ~36 HRC | 30-40 HRC |
| Corrosion Resistance | Superior (vacuum-melted) | Excellent (passive oxide layer) | Superior in body fluids | Very good, but ion release risk |
| Biocompatibility | Excellent, low ion release | High, rare Ni sensitivity | Excellent, low reactivity | Good, but Co ion concerns |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | Medium | High |
| Common Applications | Stents, guidewires | Bone plates, screws | Joint replacements | Heart valves, bearings |
| Fatigue Strength | Excellent for cyclic loads | Good for cyclic loads | Excellent | Superior |
Looking ahead, the cardiovascular stent industry is embracing digital design and robotics, and our 316LVM wire is ready for the future. It’s compatible with 3D printing and laser cutting, enabling innovative stent geometries for patient-specific needs. We’re investing in antimicrobial coatings that could cut infection rates by 15%, addressing a key concern in vascular surgeries. With healthcare costs rising, our wire provides a budget-friendly option without compromising quality, helping clinics deliver better care. Its durability—lasting 10-20 years in many cases—reduces revision procedures, improving patient outcomes and lowering long-term costs.
In short, our ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel wire is a cornerstone for cardiovascular stent innovation. From life-saving coronary stents to reliable guidewires, it’s built to perform where precision and biocompatibility matter most. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries, whether through cleaner alloys, smarter finishes, or faster delivery. As the cardiovascular field evolves, our wire is at the forefront, enabling manufacturers to create devices that transform lives with confidence.
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About Us:
Our 12,000㎡ factory is equipped with complete capabilities for research, production, testing, and packaging. We strictly adhere to ISO 9001 standards in our production processes, with an annual output of 1,200 tons. This ensures that we meet both quantity and quality demands. Furthermore, all products undergo rigorous simulated environment testing including high temperature, high pressure, and corrosion tests before being dispatched, ensuring they meet customer specifications.
For all our clients, we offer timely and multilingual after-sales support and technical consulting, helping you resolve any issues swiftly and efficiently.
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FAQs:
What is the composition of ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel?
It contains iron (60-70%), chromium (17-19%), nickel (13-15%), molybdenum (2.25-3.5%), and carbon (<0.03%), with trace manganese, silicon, and sulfur.What are the key mechanical properties of ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel for stents?
Tensile strength ranges from 490-690 MPa, yield strength from 190-300 MPa, elongation from 40-50%, and hardness around 95 HRB, balancing strength and flexibility.How is ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel wire used in cardiovascular stents?
It’s used for coronary and peripheral stents, guidewires, and vascular meshes, ensuring durability and precision in vascular interventions.What makes ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel corrosion-resistant for stents?
Its high chromium and molybdenum content, enhanced by vacuum melting, forms a robust oxide layer, resisting corrosion in blood and saline environments.What are current industry trends for ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel in stents?
Trends include drug-eluting coatings, 3D printing for patient-specific stents, and development of nickel-free alloys to address allergies.Is ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel biocompatible for cardiovascular stents?
Yes, it’s highly biocompatible with minimal ion release, optimized by vacuum melting, making it ideal for long-term vascular implants.What advantages does ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel have over other materials?
It’s more cost-effective than titanium, with superior corrosion resistance compared to 304 stainless steel, and easier to machine than cobalt-chrome.How does ASTM F138 316LVM stainless steel support sustainability in stent manufacturing?
Its recyclability, long lifespan, and efficient production reduce waste and revision procedures, aligning with eco-friendly medical trends.
