Types of Stainless Steel Fasteners and their Benefits

Stainless Steel products are getting more popular daily due to their versatile benefits. It is being used in almost every industry. Stainless Steel Fasteners are widely used in the manufacturing and building industry. Fasteners are small nuts, bolts, screws, and other items that help in connecting smaller components to make a bigger framework. These may appear insignificant due to their small size, but they play a vital role in every application used.

Stainless steel is a material that is resistant to rust, water, fire, heat, and all harsh weather condition. They have Chromium and that’s why they are different from the most common Carbon Steel Families. The categorization of Stainless Steel Fasteners is done based on the percentage of metals present in them. The main categories of steel are Austenitic, Martensitic, Ferritic, and Duplex Stainless Steel based on which Stainless Steel Fasteners are also divided. Depending on the particular project, the type of fasteners is chosen.

1. The Austenitic Stainless Steel: In this type of steel, 6% Nickel and 16% Chromium are present. The presence of Nickel in the Austenitic Stainless Steel makes it suitable for cryogenic projects (products made or affected at deep freezing temperature). The presence of Chromium and Manganese made this stainless steel corrosion-resistant, hardening-resistant, and non-magnetic. So, the fasteners made with Austenitic Stainless Steel can be used across many sectors.
2. Martensitic Stainless Steel: Such Stainless Steel has a lower percentage of Chromium (12%). The presence of 2% Carbon and a higher amount of Carbon adds hardness to Martensitic Stainless Steel. The corrosion resistance property of this steel is high.
3. Ferritic Stainless Steel: The fasteners made with Ferritic Stainless Steel have a large amount of Chromium (10.5 to 18%). So, the corrosion-resistant property of Ferritic Stainless Steel Fasteners is moderate. Some properties of them are depended on their gradation which is done by checking all the features and amount of metals present. The higher the grade is, the more the fabrication property of the particular Ferritic Stainless Steel would be. For example, grades 434 and 444 of Ferritic Stainless Steel are weldable and have higher corrosion-resistant properties.
4. Duplex Stainless Steel: This stainless steel is a mix of Ferritic and Austenitic Steel. They contain a higher percentage of Chromium (22-23%) and Nickel (4-5%). They can withstand cracking and corrosion to a great extent. They are tougher than Ferritic Stainless Steel and have greater strength than Austenitic Steel. They can be used above 300 ⁰C and below -50 ⁰

Benefits of Stainless Steel Fasteners:

The top reasons to use Stainless Steel Fasteners are:

• Corrosion resistant: Stainless Steel has high corrosion-resistant power. Metals undergo oxidation which forms rust in them. The use of Stainless steel for making fasteners makes the oxidation reaction prolonged, and rusting of fasteners does not happen easily. So, they are the best choice for making fasteners for any construction project.
• High-temperature resistance: When large structures are made, one major issue that bothers the engineers is how the structure will withstand extreme temperatures. Fasteners made with Stainless Steel have high-temperature resistance, so the structure remains safe even at extreme temperatures.
• Easy Availability: Stainless Steel Fastenersare easily available. The raw materials needed to manufacture these fasteners are available in abundance, so users can get customized fasteners within a short time.
• Affordable: The easy availability of raw materials for stainless steel has made it pocket-friendly for users. The affordability and sustainability of these fasteners have made them the best choice for many projects in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Conclusion:

When it comes to construction projects, the aesthetic factor is also an important point. Stainless Steel Fasteners are appealing compared to other fasteners. Whether they are used in automobile manufacturing or furniture making, the use of these fasteners makes the product tough, corrosion resistant, temperature resistant, and visually appealing to the eyes.