316LVM UNS S31673 ASTM F138 Stainless Steel Round Bar

316LVM stainless steel bar is a vacuum melted, low-carbon version of 316L stainless steel specifically designed for medical and surgical use. Produced using Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) followed by Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), 316LVM offers excellent cleanliness, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for implants and critical biomedical components. Certified to ASTM F138 and ISO 5832-1, this alloy meets the stringent requirements of the medical device industry. SAKY STEEL provides 316LVM round bars with tight tolerances, smooth surface finishes, and full traceability for OEMs and healthcare equipment manufacturers.

To ensure reliable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, the ferrite content of stainless steel 316LVM bars is measured according to ASTM E562-19e1, using the manual point-count method.

According to the standard, the smaller the required measurement precision, the greater the number of fields and grid points needed. For example, to achieve a precision of less than 2 %, approximately 30 fields with a 10 × 10 grid (100 points) or 5 fields with a 20 × 20 grid (400 points) are typically required.

10*10=100   (Magnified 100 times)	20*20=400   (Magnified 500 times)

The finer the grid and the larger the number of observation fields, the higher the accuracy — and consequently, the higher the testing cost. This method ensures that the ferrite phase in stainless steel is accurately quantified, guaranteeing product stability and consistent performance in critical applications such as pressure vessels, welded structures, and marine components.

The test is performed according to ASTM E562-19e1 (Metallographic Point Count Method) and/or Magnetic Method, and a Ferrite Content Test Certificate is issued with the measured Fe% value.

All test results are documented and traceable.The combination of magnetic and metallographic methods ensures accuracy and compliance with ASTM, EN, and ISO standards.

To ensure the highest quality and performance, all SAKY STEEL bar products can be tested through a comprehensive range of in-site inspections. These tests verify chemical composition, mechanical integrity, and microstructural stability directly on materials before shipment or after processing.

At SAKY STEEL, we ensure every batch of material meets the  international standards through comprehensive chemical composition analysis. Our advanced laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES), Positive Material Identification (PMI) device, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer.

At SAKY STEEL, we conduct a full range of mechanical performance tests to ensure the strength, toughness, and durability of every stainless steel, alloy steel, and nickel alloy product we deliver.We perform comprehensive tests such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness (Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, Leeb), bending, impact toughness, fatigue, and fracture toughness (KIC and CTOD). These tests precisely measure the mechanical behavior of materials under various loads and environments, ensuring full compliance with ASTM, EN, GB, and ISO standards. 

316LVM stainless steel bar is widely used in medical and surgical applications where biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and high purity are critical. Its vacuum-melted production process ensures minimal inclusions and excellent cleanliness, making it suitable for:

• Orthopedic implants, such as bone plates, screws, and joint replacements

• Cardiovascular devices, including stents, pacemaker components, and heart valves

• Dental tools and implants, due to its resistance to body fluids and sterilization cycles

• Surgical instruments, where non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant materials are required

• Spinal fixation systems and craniofacial devices

• Veterinary surgical components and specialized precision tools for the healthcare industry

Thanks to its compliance with ASTM F138 and ISO 5832-1 standards, 316LVM is a trusted material in the global biomedical sector.

316LVM stainless steel is a vacuum-melted, low-carbon version of 316L stainless steel, specifically designed for medical and surgical applications. The “VM” stands for Vacuum Melted, referring to the refining process that removes impurities and ensures exceptional cleanliness and consistency. This alloy is also known by its ASTM F138 designation, which certifies its use for biomedical implants and instruments.

Q1: What does 316LVM stand for?
A1: 316LVM stands for 316L Vacuum Melted stainless steel, a medical-grade version of 316L with ultra-low impurity levels, offering superior biocompatibility.

Q2: Is 316LVM magnetic?
A2: No, 316LVM is non-magnetic in the annealed condition, making it ideal for surgical and diagnostic environments.

Q3: What is the difference between 316L and 316LVM?
A3: 316LVM is produced under vacuum melting conditions, ensuring higher purity and corrosion resistance compared to standard 316L.

Q4: Can 316LVM be used for implants?
A4: Yes, 316LVM is certified for implant-grade applications under ASTM F138 and ISO 5832-1 standards.

Reliable Quality – Our stainless steel bars, pipes, coils, and flanges are manufactured to meet international standards such as ASTM, AISI, EN, and JIS.

Strict Inspection – Every product undergoes ultrasonic testing, chemical analysis, and dimensional control to ensure high performance and traceability.

Strong Stock & Fast Delivery – We maintain regular inventory of key products to support urgent orders and global shipping.

Customized Solutions – From heat treatment to surface finish, SAKYSTEEL offers tailor-made options to match your exact requirements.

Professional Team – With years of export experience, our sales and technical support team ensures smooth communication, quick quotations, and full documentation service.

1. Packing is quite important especially in a case of international shipments in which consignment pass through various channels to reach the ultimate destination, so we put special concern regarding packaging.
2. Saky Steel’s pack our goods in numerous ways based on the products. We pack our products in multiple ways, such as,