The Benefits of Stainless Steel Fasteners

Stainless steel fasteners are made of steel thatstainless steel. Manganese can also be used in
has been mixed with at least a ten percentplace of, or in cooperation with, nickel, to roughly
compound of chromium, and possibly otherthe 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 forcompound. When subjected to heat, these
outdoor conditions, where there is a lot of waterfasteners can become hardened and
or moisture.strengthened to create finer elements, like the
Especially if you are building something thatpoint of the screw, as well as the threads.
supports a substantial amount of weight, such asDepending on what your fastening needs are, you
humans, you will need to use stainless steelwill 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 asa long history. The first non-corrosive object still
nuts and bolts are employed, they tend to meldcurrently in existence is an artifact from India
together. This is due to the chromium layer oncalled the Iron Pillar of Delhi, which was a
the surface of the stainless steel being exposedhigh-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, thethe 20th Century, by a number of inventors and
oxygen is taken out of the equation, solidifyingresearchers 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 fastenerswith 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 witha very widespread, low-cost reality.
nickel. The nickel also works to de-magnetize the