[4] Immune system reaction to nickel is a potential complication of stainless steel usage within the human body.
[5][6] There are nickel-free nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel alloys available which address this concern.
[7] 316 surgical steel is also used in the manufacture and handling of food and pharmaceutical products where it is often required in order to minimize metallic contamination.
The corrosion resistance properties of all stainless steels is greatly enhanced by the passivation process.
Surgical cutting instruments are often made from 440 or 420 stainless due to its high hardness coupled with acceptable corrosion resistance.