Surgical steel is a popular material for surgical instruments, piercing jewelry, and body modification implants due to its resistance to stains and corrosion. Different types of steel are used for different purposes, with hard marensitic steel for instruments and softer austenitic steel for implants. It is also used in kitchens and pharmaceutical companies. Its low reactivity makes it attractive for body piercings and implants.
Surgical steel is a type of stainless steel that is particularly suited to surgical applications. The same properties that make it popular in the operating room have also led to the demand for this metal in piercing jewelry and body modification implants. Different steelmakers produce this material, with numerous companies making a range of products with varying degrees of hardness and tensile strength, depending on the precise ingredients in the alloy needed.
Like other stainless steel products, surgical steel resists stains, but it also resists corrosion, which is critical in the operating room. Surgical instruments are subjected to a variety of harsh soaps and detergents, along with the intense heat of autoclaves, so they must be able to withstand heavy use. This type of steel is also very difficult to scratch, a distinct advantage in surgical instruments, because a scratch can become a haven for bacteria, which could be transferred to patients.
For the instruments, hard marensitic surgical steel is used. This steel takes edges very well and is easy to clean, sterilize and handle. The softer austenitic surgical steel is used for surgical implants. Typically, implants made with this material are meant to be temporary, with titanium materials being used in permanent implants.
The human body rarely reacts badly to surgical steel implants, but it does happen. Components like nickel in the alloy can sometimes make people ill, which is one reason why this material is generally only recommended for temporary fixtures. Surgical steel is also able to cope with pressure, making it useful for implants that can experience stress, such as screws used in orthopedic surgery.
You may also see surgical steel employed in kitchens, pharmaceutical companies, and similar facilities, due to its strength and resistance to corrosion. Other metals may react with ingredients and mixing tools, potentially compromising the integrity of the finished product.
From the point of view of the body piercing community, this metal is attractive due to its low reactivity. Unlike metals like silver, surgical steel rarely interacts with a piercing, reducing the risk of infection, inflammation, and poor healing results. Body jewelry made with this type of steel is often inserted at the time of piercing to promote healthy healing, and it is the metal of choice for implants used in body modification, due to its low reactivity.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
