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Materials & Finishing

Materials for medical device and orthopedic parts

Compare listed metals and engineering plastics, then plan the manufacturing route, finishing and required documentation around the actual part.

Material Inventory

Listed alloys and engineering polymers

Material familyRepresentative grades
Titanium alloysGrade 2, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)
Stainless steels303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 420, 455, 465, 17-4 PH
Cobalt-chrome and tool steelsCobalt-chrome, D2, H13, A2, O1
PEEK and high-performance polymersPEEK, PPSU (Radel), PEI (Ultem), POM (Delrin), PTFE
Nylon and general engineering plasticsNylon, ABS, PC, PMMA, PET, PVC, PE
Aluminum alloys6061, 6063, 7075, 2024, 5052, 5083, 6082
Material Planning

Match the material, process and evaluation goal

These summaries connect the listed material families to the manufacturing decisions engineers need to settle before quoting.

Grade 2, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)

Titanium alloys

Titanium supports orthopedic and medical device components where strength, weight, corrosion resistance and material-specific processing matter.

Process fit: CNC machining and DMLS or SLM metal 3D printing are listed routes. Printed parts may still need post-machining on threads, datums and mating surfaces.

Specify: Specify the exact grade, product form, condition, certification, finish and inspection requirements. Do not rely on “titanium” alone as a complete material callout.

Titanium metal 3D printing
303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 420, 455, 465, 17-4 PH

Stainless steels

The listed stainless families cover general machined components, surgical instrument parts and applications that may require corrosion-resistant final surfaces.

Process fit: Milling, turning, Swiss turning, EDM and grinding can be combined according to geometry, hardness, tolerance and quantity.

Specify: Grade, condition, heat treatment, passivation or electropolishing requirements and hardness should be stated before quoting.

Stainless surgical instrument manufacturing
Cobalt-chrome, D2, H13, A2, O1

Cobalt-chrome and tool steels

Cobalt-chrome is listed for orthopedic components and metal additive work; tool steels support wear-oriented tooling and instrument requirements.

Process fit: Cobalt-chrome may be machined or metal printed. Tool-steel process planning depends on hardness, heat-treatment sequence and final feature requirements.

Specify: Provide the exact alloy or tool-steel grade, condition, heat treatment, required surface and documentation rather than selecting by family name alone.

Orthopedic implant components
PEEK, PPSU (Radel), PEI (Ultem), POM (Delrin), PTFE

PEEK and high-performance polymers

High-performance polymers support machined device components, fixtures, instrument parts and development builds when the approved specification calls for them.

Process fit: CNC machining supports controlled polymer geometry; material behavior, workholding, heat and edge condition should be considered in the process plan.

Specify: Commercial names do not define a medical grade or regulatory status. Include the exact grade, color, certification and application-specific requirements with the RFQ.

PEEK and spinal device components
Nylon, ABS, PC, PMMA, PET, PVC, PE

Nylon and general engineering plastics

Engineering plastics can support form studies, fit checks, fixtures, housings and functional development parts when their properties match the evaluation goal.

Process fit: CNC machining, SLA or SLS may fit different geometry, surface and handling requirements. The final process should follow what the part needs to demonstrate.

Specify: Define whether the part is a visual model, functional development part or production-representative component and specify the exact resin or polymer grade.

SLA and SLS plastic 3D printing
6061, 6063, 7075, 2024, 5052, 5083, 6082

Aluminum alloys

Aluminum supports fixtures, development hardware, housings and other parts where machinability, weight and lead time make it appropriate to the application.

Process fit: Multi-axis CNC machining and turning cover common aluminum geometry, with anodizing available when the specification calls for a converted final surface.

Specify: Specify alloy, temper, finish, cosmetic expectations and masked or electrically critical surfaces before manufacturing begins.

CNC machining materials
Process Selection

Three questions before choosing the route

1

What must the part demonstrate?

A visual model, fit-check part, functional development component and production-representative build may require different material and process choices.

2

Which features control the process?

Geometry, access, tolerance, surface, quantity and critical interfaces determine whether machining, additive, molding or a combined route fits best.

3

What condition must arrive?

Heat treatment, polishing, passivation, coating, inspection and assembly requirements should be planned with the primary manufacturing operation.

Surface Finishing

Finishes tied to substrate and function

Finishing changes the delivered surface and can affect allowance, masking, edge condition, timing and inspection.

PassivationStainless-steel corrosion resistance
ElectropolishingSmoothing and surface conditioning for compatible stainless steels
Brush or mirror polishingSpecified appearance and surface condition
Bead blastingControlled matte or satin texture
Type II or hard-coat anodizingConverted aluminum surfaces
PVD coatingWear- and surface-oriented thin films
DLC coatingLow-friction and wear-oriented surfaces
Surface Finishing Details
Related Capabilities

Continue the manufacturing review

Medical device CNC machining DMLS and SLM metal 3D printing SLA and SLS plastic 3D printing
Frequently Asked Questions

Medical device material questions

What material information belongs in a medical device part RFQ?

Include the exact alloy or polymer grade, condition or temper, required certification, finish, quantity, critical features, inspection needs and application constraints.

Can Lab Ready help compare titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome or PEEK?

Yes. Process and material options can be reviewed against the application, geometry and required final condition, while final material approval remains with the device manufacturer.

Does a commercial polymer name prove medical-grade suitability?

No. A family or trade name does not establish grade, biocompatibility or regulatory status. The approved specification and required documentation must identify the exact material.

Should surface finishing be included before quoting?

Yes. Polishing stock, coating thickness, masking, edge condition and final inspection can affect the manufacturing route, allowance, timing and price.

Need help choosing a material?

Send the application and design requirements and Lab Ready can help narrow the process.

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