This specification covers the chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical requirements for wrought, nitrogen strengthened manganese-chromium-molybdenum low-nickel stainless steel alloy bars and wires used for surgical implants. All bars and wires should be furnished as specified in either annealed or cold-worked condition and in cold-drawn, pickled, ground and polished, ground, or any other specified finish. The products should conform to the required chemical composition, microcleanliness, purity, surface finish, tensile properties, and hardness and should pass the intergranular corrosion susceptibility test. Both wires and bars must have a homogenous microstructure and with grain sizes within the specified range.

1.1 This specification covers the chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical requirements for wrought nitrogen strengthened 23manganese-21chromium-1molybdenum low-nickel stainless steel alloy bar and wire for surgical implants.

1.2 The SI units in this standard are the primary units. The values stated in either primary SI units or secondary inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.