| Stainless steel fasteners are made of steel that | | | | stainless steel. Manganese can also be used in |
| has been mixed with at least a ten percent | | | | place of, or in cooperation with, nickel, to roughly |
| compound of chromium, and possibly other | | | | the same effect, but at a lower cost. |
| metals, so that the steel doesn't rust or corrode. | | | | Carbon can also be used to reinforce the steel |
| This makes stainless steel fasteners great for | | | | compound. When subjected to heat, these |
| outdoor conditions, where there is a lot of water | | | | fasteners can become hardened and |
| or moisture. | | | | strengthened to create finer elements, like the |
| Especially if you are building something that | | | | point of the screw, as well as the threads. |
| supports a substantial amount of weight, such as | | | | Depending on what your fastening needs are, you |
| humans, you will need to use stainless steel | | | | will be buying different types of stainless steel |
| fasteners. Steel all by itself can rust until it breaks, | | | | fasteners for different fastening jobs. |
| and nobody wants that. | | | | Here's an interesting side note: stainless steel has |
| When stainless steel fastening systems such as | | | | a long history. The first non-corrosive object still |
| nuts and bolts are employed, they tend to meld | | | | currently in existence is an artifact from India |
| together. This is due to the chromium layer on | | | | called the Iron Pillar of Delhi, which was a |
| the surface of the stainless steel being exposed | | | | high-phosphorous-content iron pillar. Modern |
| to oxygen for a short time before fastening. | | | | stainless steel was invented in the early part of |
| When the pieces are screwed together, the | | | | the 20th Century, by a number of inventors and |
| oxygen is taken out of the equation, solidifying | | | | researchers simultaneously. The first stainless |
| the bond. This process is called "galling". | | | | steels were made of 10-18% chromium, along |
| There are other types of stainless steel fasteners | | | | with significant amounts of carbon. Thanks to |
| that resist becoming brittle at lower temperatures. | | | | these inventors, stainless steel fasteners became |
| These stainless steel screws are infused with | | | | a very widespread, low-cost reality. |
| nickel. The nickel also works to de-magnetize the | | | | |