Medical implant steel specialist Sandvik Metinox (Sheffield, UK) has won a new contract to supply the Biomet Merck Group (The Netherlands) with a range of molybdenum alloyed stainless steel products for the manufacture of orthopaedic reconstructive and fixation devices. The substantial contract, the total value of which has not been disclosed, covers the supply of stainless steel tube, bar, wire and strip in a range of sizes, certified to Biomet Merck’s material specifications and special tolerance requirements where necessary. Two material specifications are involved, Sandvik Bioline 316LVM and the recently developed Sandvik Bioline High-N. Both are specially produced high-purity medical steels designed for the manufacture of temporary and permanent implants. The Sandvik Bioline 316LVM tube wire and strip products are used by Biomet Merck particularly for the manufacture of trauma fixation devices such as bone screws, spinal systems and compression plates. The Bioline High-N product is supplied in bar form for forging into replacement hip joints.
