Medical precipitation stainless steel, strengthened by aging to precipitate carbides/nitrides, offers excellent corrosion resistance, good hardness, and decent toughness. Uses include load-bearing components like pliers, drill bits, taps, stops, and most instruments requiring moderate strength and wear resistance.
Advantages
Good corrosion resistance
Good toughness
Simple heat treatment
Disadvantages
Average hardness
Average wear resistance
Poor machinability