This specification covers the requirements for wrought seamless or welded and drawn 18chromium-14nickel-2.5molybdenum stainless steel small diameter tubing for surgical implants. Manufacturing method shall be seamless or welded and drawn process. Tubing shall conform to chemical composition, dimensions, and mechanical properties of this specification. Mechanical properties include ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation. Outside and inside diameter, wall thickness, length and straightness shall conform to the permissible limits of this specification.

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for wrought 18chromium-14nickel-2.5molybdenum stainless steel tubing used for the manufacture of surgical implants. Material shall conform to the applicable requirements of Specification F138 (for seamless) or Specification F139 (for welded and drawn). This specification addresses those product variables that differentiate small-diameter medical grade tubing from the bar, wire, sheet, and strip product forms covered in these specifications.

1.2 This specification applies to cold finished straight length tubing with 3 mm [0.125 in.] and smaller nominal outside diameter (OD) and 0.5 mm [0.020 in.] and thinner nominal wall thickness.

1.3 The specifications in 2.1 are referred to as the ASTM material standard(s) in this specification.

1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Inch-pound units are shown in brackets. 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.

1.5 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.

1.6 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.