What exactly is surgical stainless steel made of (metals)? Does it contain nickel? If so, what % does it usually contain? I am deciding between surgical stainless steel piercings or titanium. Both same price and looks. I want to know which one is more hypo-allergenic and generally nickel free.
um surgical stainless steel? lets try ... stainless steel... herp derp
surgical stainless steel is an austenitic steel containing 18-20% chromium and 8-10% nickel. and some proportion of molybdenum. The word 'surgical' refers to the fact that these types of steel are well-suited for making surgical instruments: they are easy to clean and sterilize, strong, and corrosion-resistant. The nickel/chrome/molybdenum alloys are also used for orthopaedic implants as aids in bone repair, and as a structural part of artificial heart valves and other implants. However, immune system reaction to nickel is a potential complication. In some cases today titanium is used instead in procedures that require a metal implant which will be permanent. Titanium is a reactive metal, the surface of which quickly oxidizes on exposure to air, creating a microstructured stable oxide surface. This provides a surface into which bone can grow and adhere in orthopaedic implants but which is incorrodible after implant. Thus steel may be used for temporary implants and the more expensive titanium for permanent ones
