Advantages of 17-7 over 304

Learn why you should choose 17-7 over 304 for your next project

Posted on April 21, 2021

 

Accu-Tube has developed a way to create smaller, longer tubes with thinner walls that will give your stainless steel tubes strength without comprising device design and engineering requirements.

Optimize your medical design with our 17-7 stainless steel. Compared to 304 SS, 17-7 has many advantages including:

  • It has a higher tensile strength than 304 when cold worked
  • It can be heat treated – making it even stronger
  • 17-7 tubes can accomplish the same engineering requirement with thinner walls
  • Better edge retention – longer life in tissue cutting applications

The chart below shows the ultimate tensile strength (ksi) numbers associated with common metals under certain conditions. Heat treated 17-7 stainless steel exhibits an increased hardness and tensile strength that can’t be achieved by cold-working alone.

Learn more about our 17-7 stainless steel and other metal tubing options for your medical device design. Contact us if you have questions on which metal tubing you should use for your medical device project.