5 fastener materials
Fasteners are used in all industries and they are made from a variety of materials. Many of these materials are differentiated in grades to denote special alloys. This article describes five types of fastener materials.
Learn about 5 popular fastener materials
Material is an important consideration when selecting fasteners for industrial and specific applications. Fastener properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, brittleness and galvanic corrosion derive from the material of construction. Below are five popular materials used in fastener construction.
Steel: This is the most popular fastener material. Steel fasteners are available with or without surface treatment. Steel bolts are generally available in the following grades:
Grade 2: This is the standard steel grade for hardware. Grade 2 bolts may bear manufacturer's markings.
Grade 5: Also known as Grade F, for automotive applications. Bolts made of grade 5 have radially lined heads.
Alloy Steel: Alloy steel bolts are heat treated for strength. They are distinguished by a grey-black finish.
Grade 8: These bolts are harder than Grade 5 and are used in demanding applications such as automotive suspension and high stress environments.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is an alloy containing chromium and mild steel. Stainless steel fasteners are highly resistant to corrosion. Fasteners made of this metal will not lose their resistance even if they get scratched or scratched while being installed. Stainless steel grades with special chemical formulations are used in certain fastener applications. The results are as follows:
18-8 Stainless Steel: This is a special stainless steel that contains 8% nickel and 18% chromium. 18-8 stainless steel is used to produce hardware for industrial applications as well as marine fasteners.
Stainless Steel 316: This is a corrosion resistant grade of stainless steel ideal for medical, marine and seawater applications.
Stainless Steel 410: This is a less corrosive magnetic stainless steel material that is harder than the 18-8 variety.
Aluminum: This material is soft, lightweight and corrosion resistant. Even if scratched or scratched during installation or normal use, aluminum fasteners retain their corrosion resistance. All kinds of fasteners are made of special aluminum formula, and iron, magnesium, silicon, zinc and other elements are added in the process of processing.
Brass: This is an alloy of zinc and copper. It is conductive and corrosion resistant. Custom brass fasteners are well plated and used in many fluid exposed applications.