Life sciences equipment and even the surfaces scientists work on are all built for the highest standards of disinfection and contamination control. In a world where contamination is a constant threat and precision is the name of the game the equipment’s material composition is not just important - it's critical. In this world, one material reigns supreme as the MVP of clean environments: medical-grade stainless steel. Look around any laboratory, pharmacy, or research environment and you will most likely see stainless steel in almost every conceivable form.
Let's explore why this remarkable material isn't just a preference, but a necessity.
It is undeniable, every spill, every chemical splash, and every rigorous cleaning cycle can take a toll on the equipment used in laboratories, pharmacies, research centers, and morgues. This very fact is why medical grade stainless steel is the go-to for life sciences equipment. It stands strong against daily wear and tear with unchallenged durability.
But its true strength lies in its resistance:
The ability to sterilize equipment thoroughly and efficiently is non-negotiable in laboratory and morgue environments. Medical-grade stainless steel excels here too.
With its smooth, non-porous surface, stainless steel prevents microbes, bacteria, and other contaminants from seeping into the material and forming biofilms. This inherent hygiene factor also helps make sterilization significantly more effective.
Additionally, medical grade stainless steel can withstand repeated sterilization cycles, including high-heat autoclaving, without compromising its structural integrity or hygienic properties. This thoroughness of sterilization directly translates to infection control that protects both personnel and the integrity of research or pharmaceutical products.
While we speak of "medical grade" stainless steel, it's important to understand that there are different types of medical grade stainless. The variations lie in the alloy compositions that dictate their resistance properties.
Choosing the right grade of medical-grade stainless steel is a strategic decision that supports healthcare and research. The right medical-grade stainless steel can directly contribute to:
The applications of medical grade stainless steel in life sciences equipment are varied and touch almost every aspect of laboratory or morgue operations.
Although not an exhaustive list here are several examples:
In the demanding world of life sciences laboratories and morgues, medical grade stainless steel is indispensable. It truly is the MVP, providing a robust and hygienic foundation for advances in life sciences.
Partner with the nation’s premier source for medical grade stainless steel used in clinical, laboratory, pharmaceutical environments, research centers, and morgues.
As a nationally recognized healthcare and life sciences equipment distributor and the only distributor focused solely on capital equipment. CME has built relationships with industry leading manufacturers of medical grade stainless steel equipment
Our expert account managers will work with you and the manufacturers’ representatives to help select equipment that satisfies both facility and compliance requirements.
For our customers with construction or renovation projects, our Cad-based layout and design services will help life sciences professionals and equipment planners visualize laboratory and morgue equipment in its environment, down to the inch.
Complementing CME’s singular capital equipment expertise are direct-to-site delivery and biomedical services. We are the only healthcare and life sciences equipment distributor nationwide, able to say we are truly a one-stop shop.
CME’s Logistics and Direct-To-Site service teams can receive, inspect, assemble (as needed), and deliver your medical grade stainless steel equipment when it is convenient for you.
Our Biomedical Equipment Technicians can work with your facility to establish maintenance and repair plans focused on ensuring the reliability of your capital equipment and compliance with applicable regulations
Medical-grade stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, easy to sterilize, and non-reactive with most chemicals and biological materials. These properties make it ideal for maintaining sterile environments and ensuring equipment longevity in high-contamination-risk areas like labs and morgues.
What are the most common types of medical-grade stainless steel used in these environments?
The most commonly used grades are 304, 316, and 430 stainless steel.
How does stainless steel contribute to infection control in medical and laboratory settings?
Stainless steel’s non-porous surface prevents bacteria and other pathogens from embedding or growing. It can be easily cleaned and disinfected, reducing cross-contamination risks and supporting strict infection control standards.
What factors determine which stainless steel grade should be used in a lab or morgue?
The choice depends on environmental exposure, type of work performed, and budget. For instance, morgue tables and sinks often require 316 stainless steel due to exposure to bodily fluids, while 304 stainless steel is sufficient for general laboratory furniture or shelving.
Are there long-term benefits to investing in higher-grade stainless steel?
Yes. While higher grades like 316 may have a higher upfront cost, they offer longer service life, reduced maintenance, and better resistance to corrosion and chemical damage—resulting in lower total cost of ownership over time.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier specialty distributor of healthcare and life sciences equipment. We partner with over 2,000 manufacturers to offer more than 2 million products across healthcare, laboratory, pharmacy, and research sectors. In addition to an extensive product portfolio, we also offer project management, CAD design, warehousing, logistics, consolidated direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical and technical services, all staffed by CME employees. Our mission, to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment acquisition, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate, or expand on schedule, is supported by 25 service locations strategically located across the country.