Model No: 316LVM small diameter tube

ASTM F2257 316LVM small diameter tube

ASTM F2257 is a standard specifically addressing small-diameter 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo stainless steel tubing—covering both seamless and welded, cold-drawn varieties—intended for use in surgical implants. It is not merely an "optional reference" but serves as one of the essential entry requirements for such materials to enter the medical device supply chain.

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Product Introduction

If you are sourcing tubing for cardiovascular interventional devices, orthopedic implants, or high-precision surgical instruments, you have likely compared quotes and technical data sheets from various suppliers. You will find that materials labeled"316LVM"can vary significantly in terms of fatigue performance, inner-surface cleanliness, and batch-to-batch consistency. Such differences are rarely highlighted on the first page of a specification sheet, yet they directly determine whether your device successfully passes

ASTM F2257 is a Wrought Seamless or Welded and Drawn 18Chromium-14Nickel-2.5Molybdenum Stainless Steel Small Diameter Tubing for Surgical Implants (UNS S31673).

The core value of 316LVM stems from the Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) process. By subjecting the material to Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), levels of oxygen, inclusions, and residual ferrite are reduced to extremely low levels. The direct result of this high purity is significantly enhanced resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in physiological environments, alongside superior fatigue strength compared to conventional 316L.

Chemical Composition

Regarding the ASTM F2257 standard, the actual compositional control ranges recommended for verification are as follows:

Material Type	C	Mn	P	S	Ni	Cr	Co	Mo
316LVM	≤ 0.025	≤ 1.7	≤ 0.025	≤ 0.003	14.0	21.0 - 23.0	18.0	2.5

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of 316LVM tubing depend on its delivery condition. The cold-worked state offers high strength but reduced ductility, whereas the annealed state provides good ductility but lower strength. If your device requires processes such as flaring, tipping, bending, or welding, the choice of material condition will directly impact the production yield.

Condition	Ultimate Tensile Strength, min MPa [psi]	Yield Strength (0.2 % offset), min MPa [psi]	Elongation (% in 50 mm [2 in.] or 4D),A min (%)
Annealed	490 - 586 MPa【71 000-85000】	190 - 241 MPa【275000-35000】	40-20
Cold worked	860 MPa【12500】	690 MPa【10000】	10-4

⚠️Key Insight: Cold-worked tubing offers higher strength but significantly lower elongation. If your manufacturing process requires secondary forming of the tubing, the annealed state is a safer starting point. However, if the tubing must provide structural support or withstand fatigue within the device, the high strength of the cold-worked state offers a distinct advantage.

Dimensions and Surface Finish: Understanding Tolerances for Small Diameter Tubing

Under the ASTM F2257 framework, typical specifications for small diameter tubing include:

1.Outer diameter (OD) range: Covering the 0.5 mm to 3 mm range
2.Wall thickness range: Thin-walled tubing can be as thin as 0.1 mm
3.OD tolerance: Standard specification tolerances are maintained within ±0.025, or according to customer requirements.
4.Inner wall roughness: For applications involving fluid flow or guidewire passage, the inner wall roughness (Ra) can be kept below 0.4 μm

The significance of these figures lies in the fact that tubing concentricity and wall thickness uniformity directly affect assembly precision. Tubing with significant wall thickness deviation can cause excessive friction during guidewire insertion or lead to burrs during laser cutting. When sourcing, it is advisable to request actual measurement data for the specific batch rather than relying solely on nominal tolerance ranges.

Pleasecontact us for further information regarding the dimensional and surface specifications for ASTM F 2257 316LVM tubing.

Match it to your specific use case

Typical applications for 316LVM small diameter tubing include:

Cardiovascular intervention: Guidewire hypotubes, stent delivery system components, and microcatheter reinforcements
Orthopedics and spinal surgery: Precision components for bone screws and spinal fixation rods
Surgical instruments: Puncture needles, biopsy needles, and channels for laparoscopic instruments
Diagnostics and drug delivery: Microfluidic tubing and insulin pump infusion line

If your application involves long-term implantation or prolonged contact with blood, the material's high purity and corrosion resistance are not merely"added benefits"—they are fundamental requirements. This is precisely why 316LVM is used instead of standard 316L in such scenarios.

For technical inquiries, please contact the Lork Group Medical Materials Team directly. Please specify your application scenario and the material-related issues you are currently facing, and we will arrange for the appropriate specialist to respond.

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