Hypodermic stainless steel tubing and needles are related but distinct products used in various applications. The tubing is characterized by its small diameter, typically used as an essential component in medical, industrial, laboratory, and aerospace systems and applications where precise fluid flow or gas transfer is required. The tubing is generally supplied in straight lengths or coils and is available in various outer diameters (OD) and wall thicknesses measured by gauge size. Hypodermic tubing is essential in industries that require tight tolerances such as fluid management, drug delivery, analytical instrumentation and precision manufacturing processes.
For hypodermic needles, hypodermic stainless steel tubing is the raw material used to manufacture the needles and other medical components. Hypodermic needles are intended explicitly for injections or withdrawals of fluids from the body. The long, thin, pointed instruments are used in medical procedures, vaccinations, or laboratory settings. Though typically made from hypodermic stainless steel tubing, hypodermic needles have additional design features. Most notably, the sharpened bevel or point at the tip required for penetration is typically attached to a syringe or other medical device.
Key Properties of Hypodermic Stainless Steel Tubing
Hypodermic stainless steel tubing is a small-diameter tube regarded for its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. This makes it ideal for use in medical devices, such as needles and surgical instruments, and other applications where high precision and reliability are crucial.
The small diameter of this stainless steel tubing allows precise control over fluid flow and pressure, making it suitable for use in applications such as laboratory equipment, dental instruments, and medical implants. Because of its corrosion resistance and high-temperature tolerances, hypodermic stainless steel tubing can withstand the rigors of industrial processes, including high-pressure applications and exposure to harsh chemicals.
Manufacturing Processes
Hypodermic tubing consists of stainless steel, normally 304 or 316 grade, which is noted for its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. The raw material, starting with stainless steel rods, is subjected to cold drawing and annealing processes to refine the tubing’s size, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties, like strength, flexibility, and enhanced ductility. Once drawing and annealing are completed, the tubing is straightened through rollers to ensure it is perfectly straight for precise medical applications. The tubes can then be cut to length as needed and may undergo further surface treatments for cleanliness and corrosion resistance.
Hypodermic needles are essentially refined stainless steel tubes manufactured with precise, sharp points and smooth, rounded surfaces. Tubing is cut to a specified length, with one end sharpened to create the pointed, beveled tip. At the other end, the tubing is crimped to attach a plastic hub that fits into a syringe. Needles are then sterilized and packaged individually for use as needed.
Sizing
In terms of size, gauge, and wall thickness, hypodermic stainless steel tubing measurements utilize the Birmingham Gauge System. Unlike standard stainless steel tubing, in which the inner and outer diameters are measured in inches or millimeters, the gauge system numbering is determined by the tube’s outer diameters (OD). In sizing, higher gauge numbers represent a smaller, finer tube, and lower gauge numbers represent a larger, thicker tube. For example, a 33 gauge hypodermic stainless steel tube would indicate an exceptionally fine, thin-walled tube for use, say, in insulin injections.
Medical Applications
Medical-grade stainless steels used in hypodermic tubing are selected principally because of the material’s biocompatibility, strength, durability, and corrosion resistance when exposed to bodily fluids, tissue, and sterilization processes. Some typical applications for hypodermic stainless steel tubing include the needles mentioned above for injections, blood draws, and fluid transfers. The tubing’s biocompatibility and non-toxicity ensure it won’t react with bodily tissues or fluids, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions or complications.
While commonly associated with the medical industry for applications like injections, hypodermic tubing is also used in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and cosmetics. Its precision and versatility make it suitable for any application requiring accurate fluid handling or fine measurements.
Contact the Stainless Steel Tubing Experts at Eagle Stainless
Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication offers an extensive selection of all sizes and varieties of hypodermic stainless steel tubing for critical applications. We offer medical-grade hypodermic tubing for specific medical applications, fluid management and transfer, chromatography, analytical instrumentation in laboratory settings, and various aerospace applications and systems. Tube sizing ranges from 3 gauge to 33 gauge, with custom options for more specific requirements and applications. For more information on our wide selection of hypodermic tubing, contact Eagle Stainless today.