0.018mm 18μm 316L Stainless Steel Wire

316L 0.018mm Stainless Steel Micro-Wire

1. Material Composition

Grade 316L: An austenitic, low-carbon stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance.

Composition: Cr (16-18%), Ni (10-14%), Mo (2-3%), along with trace Si, Mn, P, and S.

Key Feature: Molybdenum enhances resistance to chlorides, acids, and pitting corrosion.

2. Key Properties

Ultra-Fine Diameter: 0.018mm (18 microns), approximately 1/4 the thickness of a human hair.

High Strength & Ductility: Tensile strength ranges from 1000–2000 MPa, with elongation of 10–30%.

Corrosion Resistance: Superior performance in harsh environments (seawater, chemicals, medical saline).

Biocompatibility: Meets ISO 10993 standards for medical implants.

Temperature Resistance: Stable from -200°C to 600°C.

3. Primary Applications

Medical: Surgical sutures, stents, neural electrodes, minimally invasive devices.

Electronics: Micro-coils, sensors, vacuum tube components.

Industrial: Precision filters (e.g., fuel injection systems), anti-corrosion meshes.

Research: Microfabrication, reinforcement in composites (e.g., ceramics/polymers).

4. Manufacturing Process

Multi-Pass Wire Drawing: Progressive reduction from thicker wire to 0.018mm, with intermediate annealing to relieve stress.

Surface Finishing: Electro-polishing or coatings (e.g., PTFE) for smoothness and reduced friction.

Quality Control: Laser micrometers ensure ±0.001mm tolerance.

5. Technical Considerations

Handling Challenges: Requires tension-controlled spooling due to extreme flexibility.

Cost Factor: 50–100× more expensive than standard steel wire, driven by purity and precision.

6. Industry Standards

ASTM A580: Standard specification for stainless steel wire.

ISO 5832-1: For surgical implant materials.