If you are looking for stainless steel metric fasteners, there are important considerations that you need to take into account so that you are able to get the best ones for the project you are working on. With this, you might be interested in knowing some cool facts about this material. Some of these are the following:

• They are resistant to corrosion and ideal most especially in a more corrosive environment such as places near the shore or by the seaside. Best used in industrial project particularly for outdoor use.
• They contain at least 11 percent chromium, a metal that when mixed into the steel, oxidizes into a super-strong corrosion-resistant film of chromium oxide, which creates a protective layer that prevents rust from penetrating the steel.
• They are the industry standard – it means that it has passed the generally-accepted quality standards followed by businesses in the industry.
• Stainless steel type of material maintains its strength under the extremes of temperature; thus, these materials maintain their strength when exposed to hot or cold temperature.
• They are easy to clean and their anti-corrosive property gives them a longer lifespan.

Some stainless steel types/grades

• A1 Stainless steel – this has a free-cutting quality and has superior machine ability because of its phosphorus and sulfur percentage. However, this has a significant effect to the material as the general corrosion resistance is decreased. That is why this “atomic lathe” stainless steel is not commonly used for mass production fasteners.
• A2 304 Stainless steel (18% Cr, 8% Ni) – this is the most commonly used grade as this type has an outstanding corrosion resistance property in different conditions including normal atmospheric conditions, in wet environment, oxidizing and organic acids, many alkali and salt solutions.
• A4 316 Stainless steel – also known as the “acid proof,” this type is considered the most corrosion resistant steel grade with an increased nickel percentage and addition of molybdenum. Ideal for corrosive environment such as: near the shore or by the seaside, industrial atmosphere, etc.

General buying tips:

Before buying, there are a number of things you might need to do and some of these are the following:

• Research – when doing a research, determine which type of fastener is the most ideal for the type of project you are going to work on (e.g. industrial, aviation or aerospace, furniture, automobile, etc.)
• Price comparison – a little difference in prices (when comparing one manufacturer to another) can be a big savings especially if you buy in bulk.
• Discounts and shipping fee – you will also need to check if your prospective manufacturer offer discounts and free shipping – you can always find a manufacturer that gives better products and service than the other.