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 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 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.