Specializing in Stainless Steel and Anti-Corrosive Materials, fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts

5 Stainless Steel Facts You Need To Know Before Buying Fasteners

5 Stainless Steel Facts About Fasteners You Should Know

Stainless steel fastener

Stainless steel is a highly used metal and prized for its corrosion resistance. Did you know that stainless steel actually can corrode? It’s not even that hard to make it happen. Before you buy your fasteners here are five stainless steel facts you need to know before buying fasteners.

1. Stainless Steel Is A Soft Metal (Sort Of)

Stainless steel is considered a soft metal meaning it is not great for many high load applications that require intense strength. However, certain grades are hardened to create a stronger version. It may effect the corrosion resistance of the fastener however. A classic example of this is Grade 410 Stainless Steel.

2. Stainless Steel Can Still Corrode

Stainless steel is prized for its corrosion resistance. Beyond that many don’t know anything about it. Stainless steel comes in many different grades, 304, 305 and 316 are just a few examples and each come with their own benefits. If you are within 20 miles of the beach for example, you need to make sure you use 316 stainless steel.

3. Stainless Steel Is Not Non-Magnetic

It is important to know that stainless steel is not fully non-magnetic. In situations where the non-magnetic quality of a material is critical, stainless steel is not a recommended choice.

4. Stainless Steel Has An Invisible Self Repairing Outer Layer

Stainless metals form an invisible oxide coating that protects it from external factors. This is the main reason stainless steel is so resistant to corrosion. As long as the material is in an oxygen rich environment, even if the metal is damaged removing the oxide layer, it will reform and protect the metal again.

5. Stainless Steel Reacts Negatively With Aluminum

Stainless Steel and Aluminum are two separate kinds of metal. One is positively charged (anode) and one is negatively charged (cathode). As these metals are connected and an electrolyte is introduced, such as saltwater, a transfer of electrons occurs which will ruin the integrity of the materials resulting in galvanic corrosion. To avoid these situations either use some sort of in-between like a rubber material or simply do not use them together (recommended).

Working With Stainless Steel

Ultimately stainless steel can be a bit more complicated than you thought. Stainless steel fasteners are still an excellent choice for many situations. Just take these 5 things into consideration when buying your fasteners to help you choose the appropriate material and grade.



Looking For More Blogs Like This One?

Sign up to get new blogs sent directly to your inbox!


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Fasten Meaning?

Fasten Meaning

Fasteners are used in almost every application you can think of. From the tallest building in New York City to the smart phone in your pocket. Everything is held together with fasteners and that begs the question: “What does fastening mean?”

Well luckily the answer is quite simple. Fastening means to close, lock, hold or secure something. You can fasten your shoe laces. Fasten a seat belt, even fasten a watch. From an industry standpoint, all of these items that are used to hold materials together have become known as fasteners.

What Are Fasteners?

Fasteners are tools designed to behave a certain way in a material making them the ideal tool for the job. Wood screws are used to hold two pieces of wood together, Tapcon screws can cut their own threads into concrete, and sheet metal screws have sharp cutting threads that slice through thin metal with ease.

Who Uses Fasteners?

Each of these fasteners serves a specific purpose and is designed to do one thing very well. Fasten materials together. From the person who is using a screwdriver to change their remote batteries to the industrial construction crew building skyscrapers, we all come into contact with fasteners in our daily lives. Everyone uses fasteners and each has a purpose. To better understand how fasteners work and their individual purposes please check out our Fasteners 101 content pages designed specifically to help educate you on the tools you need before working on a project.



Looking For More Blogs Like This One?

Sign up to get new blogs sent directly to your inbox!


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact