Material Quality
Quality starts with the material, the quality of the stainless steel has a crucial influence in the quality of our
all types of our surgical, dental and  beauty care  instruments  and scissors or shears. It is fundamental  for the efficiency and durability of  various  instruments and scissors. Steel alloys of the highest quality are the basic material for scissors and shears.

Scissors are used to cut cordite (an explosive substance resembling twine)  must not produce sparks, and also scissors are used to cut magnetic tape must not interfere  with magnetism. This quality steel provides the basis for exceptional cutting performance. Depending on the manufacturing process two different qualities of stinless steel are used by manufacturers.
High-grade stainless for stamped household scissors and shears are made of high-grade stainless steel.Majority of our surgical, dental  and beauty instruments, surgical scissors and shears manufactured by Tecnicare are made of high grade stainless. And it is particularly recomended for all surgical and dental scissors that come into contact with  moisture because the stainless steel will not  rust in damp air. It has also the advantages of being llight and rustproof. The composition of 410 type of stainless steel is as bellow.

.   Carbon          0.080 - 0.150
.   Chromium     11.50 - 13.50
.   Magnese       01.0 max
.   Phosphorus  01.00 max
.   Silicon           01.00 max
 

Material Types
It is particularly recommended for different types of surgical, dental & beauty care instruments and  scissors that come into contact with moisture because the steel will not rust in damp and wet conditions.It has also advantages of being light and rust proof. Our excellent and imported high grade forged quality  stainless steel has always  been our top priority, we do not compromise on qualityour and our aim is to maintain our quality standards. The following materials types of being used in our different types of instruments and scissors to ensure the required standards.

.   AISI 304 stainless steel type
.   AISI 316L stailess steel type
.   AISI 410 stainless steel type
.   AISI 420 stainless steel type
.   AISI 440 stainless steel type
.   ASTM F67 titanium type
.   Tungsten carbide

Termonolgy
Material used in manufacturing of various types of instruments. AISI, these are the initials for the American Iron and Steel institute. AISI has identified the various formulations of steel and catalogue using a number system. Many of the materials used in surgical instrumentation have AISI numbers, ie. AISI 304 or AISI410.

ASTM, these are the initials for the American Society of Testing and Materials. They establish standards and specifications for many materials, both metallic and non-metallic. Some materials will have an AISI number as well as an AST number.

Austenitic series 300 stainless steel are Austenitic or non-harden able or non-magnetic. The carbon content is as low as 0.08 percent that means these metals cannot be heat hardened and will not hold a strong cutting edge. However, it may be work hardened through machining or forming. The presence of almost 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel makes these metals highly corrosion resistant and guarantee a brilliant shine. The term 18-8 stainless is some time used to describe this series.

Martensitic Series 400 Stainless Steel, alloys are magnetic type and heat harden able. These have relative high carbon and low chromium percentages, along with traces of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), Sulphur (S), phosphorous (P), nickel (Ni), Molybdenum (Mo) etc endowing the metal with specific properties. Their use is a necessity wherever strength and Temper are required. The degree of hardness depends largely on the carbon level. This series is used in most O.R quality Instruments cutting and non-cutting, because it has a high tensile strength, can hold edge for a long time and is corrosion resistant. However, as there is little or no nickel in this series susceptible to corrosion if not looked after properly.
 

International Standard 
BS 5194 Part 1
DIN58298
ISO 7153-1
 

Stainless Steel
This is relatively modern British innovation that has become in universal use for steel instruments. It reaches the factories in the form of bars and sheets. Looking at these lengths of rough and gray material, one wonder how it will be fashioned into beautifully finished instruments. Such a transformation reveals craftsmanship at its best.
 

Stainless Steel Type AISI 304  
This material is easy to machine and form. Instruments or components that do not need to be hardened, such as speculums, retractor blades, hollow handles, hospital hollow wares, nuts, screws and pins are usually made from this grade.
 

Stainless Steel Type AiSI 316L
This is a very high purity “L” stands as for low carbon. It is also called SMO. It is a preferred material for making most orthopedic implants, such as plated and screws, nails, staples, prostheses and aneurysm clips etc. Certain instruments that have prolonged contact with implants also utilize this material to avoid transfer of dissimilar metal particles which could cause galvanic corrosion on the implants. It is however important to know that metal implants and prostheses can sooner or later fail since no metal has yet been developed that will equal the revitalizing durability of living bone.
 

Stainless Steel Type AISI 410
This is a most commonly used for the manufacturing of non-cutting instruments. Typical examples are hemostatic, assorted forceps, and retractors and so on. It is easy to work with and has rockwell hardness in the range of C-40 to C-45. It is a misconception that this grade is inferior in any way as it clearly complies with the British, German and International Standards for application in surgical instruments.
 

Stainless Steel Type AISI 420 & 440
These are useful grades for cutting for cutting instruments such as scissors, knives, chisels, rongeurs, bone cutters, bone drills and taps etc. AISI 420 can get rockwell hardness in the range of C-48 to C-50 but is hardness around C-55 is required then grade AISI 440 with more carbon is appropriate.
 

Titanium
Type ASTM F67- commercially pure grades 1, 2 and 4. It has same strength as steel bust weighs only 60 percent of the steel. It is highly corrosion resistant but very difficult to work with. Some micro surgery instruments, mandibular implants and weight bearing hip prostheses are made from it. Its biocompatibility is far more superior to any other currently employed implant material. It can be finished in a distinct blue colour but repeated autoclaving may give it a reddish tinge.
 

Tungsten Carbide / Grade GC20
This is the hardest man made material, sometime also referred as diamond. It has a rockwell hardness of C-86 cemented carbide is often called hard metal. Its inserts are sintered in the jaws of high wearing instruments such as needle holders, scissors and wire cutters. Traditionally these instruments are partly gold-plated for recognition.
 

Other Material
There are also many non-ferrous materials that are used in instruments for their specific properties. They may be easier to machine or form and more suitable for procedures or budget.
 

Sterling Silver
It is 92.5percent pure silver (Ag). Current uses include trachea tubes, probes for eyes and hemostatic clips. Silver will turn black with oxide. This does not interfere with function of the instrument. A bit of rub with or without silver polish or elbow grease will bring the original shine back. These instruments should be handled carefully as they are expensive as well as delicate.
 

German Silver
An alloy of silver nickel that is less expensive and is used as an alternative to Sterling Silver. It is also more durable and does not turn black after autoclaving.
 

Brass & Copper
Free cutting brass type 360 and nickel copper Class A or B are easily formed, molded and welded therefore useful for making instruments that are otherwise hard to make from steel or require malleable features. Certain instruments made traditionally in these soft metals are proctoscopes, malleable uterine sounds and retractor blades, catheters and cannulas. In order to enhance surface wear these are usually plated.
 

Non metal Material
Rubber, Plastic, Silicon and Tufnol are increasingly used in a wide variety of application, both reusable and disposable. Some of the useful characteristics are toughness, flexibility, resilient, resistant to chemicals, insulating, no moisture.
Absorption, heat deformation, high impact strength, easy fabrication and low cost etc. In fact the possibilities are endless plastic items are gradually enabling a new wave of convenience and cost reduction in the operating room, a trend that will undoubtedly continue to grow with the passage of time. The use of latex rubber, has been discouraged because it contains certain protein that is said to cause skin allergy to some patients and hospital staff. No significant hazards are expected from silicon products under normal conditions of handling and use.
 

Plating
Carbon steel and nonferrous metal instruments are protected from staining or discolouring by plating of various types. Until the advent of stainless steel most surgical instruments were plated. However, many instruments are still more economical or effective to make plated. Mixing of plated instruments with stainless steel instruments in the reprocessing cycle should be avoided as it may result in transference of chrome to stainless that will look like stains. All plated instruments should be routinely checked to ensure there is no cracks or worn areas in the surface. In recent years the use of ultrasonic cleaning has hastened the demise of plated instruments as tends to strip the plating from the base metal.
 

Silver Plating
Instruments or components made of copper or brass can be plated with silver by electrodeposited coating. To enable the final silver deposit to adhere it will follow a primary coating of silver strike solution, nickel or copper plating. The silver plating shall not be less than 0.0010 inch in the thickness. It is especially suitable on malleable instruments because the layer of silver plating is so thin it does not crack or chip when instruments is bent. Silver plating may turn black with silver oxide and may be given a good rub to get the shine back.
 

Nickel Plating
Nickel adheres very well to carbon steel and is not removed easily. The surface is made free from all flaws or defects which will be detrimental to the final finish. Cutting edges are ground to remove all plating. These are not many instruments made with carbon steel these days, except perhaps for veterinary use or some general purpose scissors. Moisture will act rather quickly to first stain and then corrode these instruments.
 

Chrome Plating
Carbon steel copper and brass are all base metals that can be chrome plated. Finish on all edges and surfaces shall be uniform and free from burrs, sharp edges (except where required), crevices, grind marks, rough areas, cracks and overlaps. Chrome plating often has a layer of copper or nickel underneath and therefore protects instruments longer from corrosion and discoloration.
 

Black Chrome Plating
Black finish makes work easier under microscope or extra lighting because of the lack of glare. Until recently the black or ebonized finish was achieved by dipping in a sodium salt solution and then baking in oven.  These salts, however, have now been reclassified as very toxic and therefore unsafe to use. There are also some very strong disinfectants also now available that can strip this type of black finish completely.