Metal finishing for medical applications rounds out the scope of services and industries Reid Metal Finishing offers to our valued clients. It may not seem intuitive that medical components need similar plating/anodizing treatment typically reserved for parts subject to extreme external environments. Given our experience with the high-end demands inherent in firearms, defense/military, aerospace, and other sectors, we know that medical clients will benefit from our expertise.
THE BENEFITS OF METAL FINISHING FOR MEDICAL DEVICES
Improved and Lasting Performance
Metal finishing for medical applications is essential. First, there are strict performance parameters: medical equipment, such as scalpels, have stringent performance and sharpness requirements. Every blade inevitably loses its edge with use.
Even the best materials, while holding an edge longer than the rest, are not above degradation. In a surgical setting, slight blade dulling will make a difference in healing and recovery. Surgery success and risk will depend on performance parameters that aren’t significant or even relevant in other settings.
Improved Resistance to a variety of harsh chemicals
Medical parts are subject to harsh chemical and mechanical cleaning procedures. For example, hydrogen peroxide is prevalent in the medical industry. Even minimal residues or droplets of hydrogen peroxide will prove corrosive to metal parts over time. Also, consider the persistent chemical attack to which medical equipment is subject.
Ensuring sanitary and sterile conditions is an overriding priority in healthcare settings—metal finishing for medical applications guards against such invisible but wildly unpleasant inevitabilities in medical environments. This kind of corrosion, aside from degrading performance, has another downside: it will result in surface pitting. This surface pitting then fills with moisture and provides an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
Additionally, body fluids, especially stomach acids, can be surprisingly corrosive. Proper anodizing/plating will go a long way in ensuring the satisfactory performance of medical tools and parts.
Lastly, parts exposed to high-oxygen environments (respirators come to mind) must ensure excellent seals against the external environment and protection against oxygenation. Again, Reid Metal Finishing and our skill in metal finishing for medical applications come to the rescue.
Ready to get started?
If you have questions about our services, or if you’re ready to get started, don’t hesitate to contact us today with your metal finishing needs!