316LVM Stainless Steel: Properties, Composition, and Medical Implant Applications

316LVM Stainless Steel is a very clean, Low-Carbon version of 316 stainless steel that has been engineered for use in many critical biomedical applications. It is also referred to as UNS S31673. Due to its cleanliness, corrosion resistance, and reliability in terms of its mechanical properties, it is commonly used as an implant-grade stainless steel. What makes 316LVM different from other types of stainless steel is the method by which it is produced. Advanced Vacuum Melting (AVM) Techniques are used to produce this Material. AVM results in a much cleaner product than traditional methods because there is less carbon present to precipitate out and form carbides. Also, the AVM process produces a product with fewer inclusions and impurities than traditional processes. Therefore, 316LVM Stainless Steel is the preferred choice for all long-term implant applications where Performance and Safety are most important.

The chemistry of 316LVM stainless steel is very tightly controlled by ASTM F138, a standard specification that outlines wrought stainless steels used in surgical implant applications. For the complete chemical composition, mechanical properties and grade specifications, refer to the 316LVM Stainless Steel Datasheet.

Improved chemistry control has provided an increase in corrosion resistance, strength and biocompatibility. The inclusion of Chromium and Molybdenum has enhanced the already good pitting/crevice-type corrosion resistant properties of 316LVM relative to 316LSS, especially in environments with high levels of Chloride (i.e., physiological).

Both products have virtually identical chemical makeup. The main differences between 316L stainless steel and 316LVM stainless steel are in their purity and production process:

Due to this, 316LVM stainless steel will be significantly better suited for medical implants since it is more reliable with regard to its fatigue properties and long-term reliability. In summary, while 316L is an acceptable product for most general applications, 316LVM stainless steel was developed to provide superior medical grade properties.

Vacuum induction melting (VIM) is one of the two main processes that produce the higher quality vacuum-melted stainless steels such as 316LVM.

In VIM, the raw materials used to make the alloy are first melted in an evacuated chamber or "vacuum". An absence of the atmospheric gases, such as oxygen or nitrogen, reacting with molten metal to introduce impurities, preserves the homogeneity of the composition exhibiting less impurity in the end-product.

VAR is a second stage refining process. In VAR, the same material is then re-melted in a vacuum. The second melting process can improve the micro-structural uniformity and remove any small inclusions in the metal.

The combination of the VIM and VAR processes produces stainless steel 316LVM with very low levels of impurities. This is important because the use of stainless steel 316LVM in highly sensitive medical applications requires materials that are extremely pure.

When it comes to implant-grade stainless steel, being clean isn't an option; it's mandatory.

The human body is one of the most corrosive environments available because of all the salt and fluid. 316LVM stainless steel resists corrosion extremely well in physiologic environments which ensures that medical implants are reliable and durable for extended periods of time.

As a medical-grade stainless steel, 316LVM is biocompatible. 316LVM has been utilized for decades in the development of numerous medical implants including orthopaedic pins, bone plates, and cardiovascular devices.

One of the main things that makes medical-grade stainless steel so important is controlling inclusions. Inclusions can be a site of localized stresses that could lead to an early failure during fatigue (cyclic) loading.

Vacuum-melting has allowed for the production of 316LVM stainless steel with very low inclusion levels. The low inclusion level greatly increases the fatigue strength of this material and its use in implants, which are subject to repeated stress, such as joint replacements and fixation devices.

The better control of inclusions in medical-grade stainless steel will provide better reliability of medical implants and better safety for patients.

Although the field of biomaterials has made significant progress over time, 316LVM Stainless Steel is still considered the gold standard for use as an implant. The reason is its combination of:

Has allowed 316LVM Stainless Steel to become the preferred material used by almost every segment of the medical community.

As both the manufacturer and user of 316LVM Stainless Steel, it provides a reliable balance of performance, availability and affordability when comparing it to other alternatives such as Titanium Alloys.

Venus Wires is one of many companies that deliver high-quality, 316LVM Stainless Steel Products that meet the most demanding global standards. As an expert at developing precision-engineered, Medical Grade Stainless Steel, Venus Wires enables the delivery of critical medical care products that depend on the highest levels of Material Integrity and Reliability.